The new Gen 2 ETQ™ is the result of feedback from US Military, US Special Forces, Civilian EMS, Law Enforcement, and prepared citizens. The Gen 1 was the smallest windlass tourniquet on the market and is a proven product that has saved dozens of lives – but any good product can be improved upon. The Gen 2 is a significant upgrade, keeps the form factor but includes three new patent-pending features.
It is much easier to use, more robust, and has a wider window of reliability.
Available now at snakestaffsystems.com.
Gen 2 Features:
Power Curve™ *Patent Pending:
The slot where the band is pulled through is curved, unlike other tourniquets. This shape spreads the load placed on the band when tight, focusing the tension in the center. With straight slots, the band is actually tighter on the edge than it is in the center, increasing chance of tissue damage after a prolonged use case. The Power Curve helps prevent this.
New Tri-Grip Windlass™ *Patent Pending:
The three flat surfaces per-side give your fingers more surface area and geometrical advantage while twisting the windlass over a traditional cylinder shape. Round windlasses are inherently slippery, and there will be a lot of blood when you go to apply a tourniquet. Although grippy, in our testing we found that some windlasses can actually be over-textured and can result in the tearing of nitrile gloves, exposing you to the patient’s blood. The windlass is made out of a high strength polymer composite that will not break on you, unlike that of Chinese knock off tourniquets.
Power Ring™ *Patent Pending:
The new steel ring under the windlass makes it one of the easiest tourniquets to turn in the industry.
Typically, the first two turns of the windlass on tourniquets are the hardest. We aimed to improve that. The ring creates vertical space to clear the carabiner and provides a mechanical advantage for the initial twists of the windlass.
Improved tourniquet body:
The longer body and improved routing keeps the tourniquet in a straighter configuration even if the user doesn’t fully tighten the strap first as instructed. The only negative reviews we’ve seen on the Gen 1 were due to user error when they didn’t first fully tighten the band, or didn’t reset the TQ after repeated usage.
You MUST tighten the band of any tourniquet first before twisting the windlass, but many of these changes result in a wider window of reliability.
Carabiner lock enlarged:
Although the gate is the same size, the crucial space inside of the carabiner lock is enlarged significantly to make it easier to lock the windlass.
Reinforced band material:
The Gen 2 band is now backed with a nylon material that gives more rigidity and prevents it from folding in half and sticking to itself during the application process. It also aids the user in lassoing the TQ around a limb as well as threading the needle.
New Blue Trainer TQs:
After many requests for trainer tourniquets, we are now offering blue trainers in both 1” and 1.5” widths.
The intention behind this is to provide users with a designated trainer to practice applications without having to use carry/duty tourniquets.
Instructions:
The printed instructions and QR code serve as a last resort for a bystander for example that wishes to intervene and assist with application but doesn’t necessarily have the technical knowledge on how to do so.
Why we got rid of the chemlight:
We found the chemlight was often breaking and activating in the mail, or depending on how it was carried, in people’s pockets. While we loved the chem light and believed that it offered real value in certain situations, if they crack prematurely, then it is a waste. The elimination of the chemlight has allowed us from a production standpoint to use more robust materials and to be able to provide Gen 2 at the same pricepoint as Gen 1.
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