Figure 1: Photograph of an OMNA Marine Tourniquet that has been repetitively used scuba diving for over 6 months had no rust, corrosion, or deterioration of webbing or thread.

Definitions:

Tourniquet: A medical device applied to a limb that can compress a limb with sufficient pressure to stop arterial bleeding.

Marine Tourniquet: A tourniquet made with marine grade materials so that it can maintain efficacy (effectiveness) when exposed to marine environment elements such as saltwater, UV, etc.

Medical Studies References and Quotes:

Windlass Tourniquet Deficiencies In Marine Environments

• “CATs are designed to be stored until ready to be used in the protective plastic wrapper in which they are issued to protect the device from the elements - North American Rescue ¹.”

• “Tourniquets worn on the plate carrier had an efficacy of 57%, which was significantly lower than the control efficacy rate of 95.2% ².”
• “Currently, the CAT manufacturer recommends keeping the tourniquet in the plastic packaging until needed to protect the tourniquet from the elements ².”

Most tourniquets use a windlass bar mechanical advantage system, nylon webbing, and Kevlar thread.

1. Twisting of a bar while in the water, and or applying to a victim in the water is difficult and noted in several reports from U.S. Marines to be ineffective. The general requirement of 3+ full turns may be a factor, along with requirement to complete a 180 degree turn of windlass to be able to lock the bar in place.
2. Waiting to apply a tourniquet on a boat or shore, allows a victim to lose blood, which could have been kept in the body.
3. Nylon webbing absorbs water, Dupont ® reports wet nylon webbing is 15% weaker, and its deterioration rate from exposure is generally high, especially in a marine environment. A study from BYU noted a reduction of strength of 27.8% when wet ⁶.
4. “Kevlar has poor abrasion and UV resistance ^4,5.” Therefore, Kevlar is prone to deterioration from exposure, making it incompatible with the marine environment.

MARINE TOURNIQUET REQUIREMENTS

Figure 2: Scuba Diver from Warfighter Scuba applies OMNA Marine Tourniquet during dive.

 A Marine Tourniquet MUST be designed for in water application.

1. A Marine Tourniquet should utilize a mechanical advantage system that can be self-applied, and or applied to a victim subsurface or on the surface of the water while treading water, or swimming with or without fins or other buoyancy aids.
2. The OMNA Marine Tourniquet uses a marine-grade ratcheting buckle system that can rapidly achieve arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) in maritime environments and conditions. This unique system allows the tourniquet to be applied in-water saving precious time from injury to tourniquet application, and keeping more blood in the body.
3. People rendering first aid, bleeding control in the water do not have the time to unwrap and apply a tourniquet. In the marine environment a marine tourniquet needs to be immediately available for application.
4. Carrying a non-marine tourniquet in a wrapper likely means more plastic pollution in the ocean if used.

 A Marine Tourniquet MUST use marine grade materials.

1. A Marine Tourniquet has to withstand the harshest environment on earth next to lava. Saltwater, heat, humidity, sand, and other elements constantly bombard a marine tourniquet.
2. The OMNA Marine Ratcheting Buckle uses only Stainless Steel, therefore, it is corrosion resistant, and only requires fresh water rinsing for preventative maintenance. (Salinity Testing MIL STD 810) In addition, since it uses only stainless steel the OMNA Marine Ratcheting Buckle is not magnetic like other ratcheting buckles. Why, does this matter? Being non-magnetic matters because magnetic components can interfere with dive computers, and other electronics.
3. The OMNA Marine Tourniquet uses proprietary webbing and thread that are hydrophobic (Don’t absorb water), and possess superior strength, UV resistance, and other marine specific properties.
4. The OMNA Marine Tourniquet is made to withstand repetitive saltwater and UV exposure of the marine environment. It is the first and only tourniquet designed for the marine environment and maritime professionals.

REFERENCES:

1. Childers R(1), Tolentino JC, Leasiolagi J, Wiley N, Liebhardt D, Barbabella S, Kragh JF Jr.Tourniquets exposed to the Afghanistan combat environment have decreased efficacy and increased breakage compared to unexposed tourniquets. Mil Med. 2011 Dec;176(12):1400-3.

2. LT Justin Weppner, MC USN; HM2 Michael Lang, USN; HM3 Robert Sunday, FMF USN; HM3 Nicholas Debiasse, FMF USN. Efficacy of Tourniquets Exposed to the Afghanistan Combat Environment Stored in Individual First Aid Kits Versus on the Exterior of Plate Carriers. MILITARY MEDICINE, 178, 3:334, 2013

3. Kragh et al. Limb Tourniquet Configuration: Preliminary Investigation of Problems and Principles. JSOM, 2019

4. Sabir, T. (2018). Fibers used for high-performance apparel. High Performance Apparel. Materials, Development and Applications. Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles, Pages 7 – 32.

5. Jones, and G. K. Styles. (2013) Joining Textiles, Principles and Applications. Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles

6. Brigham Young University. (2017, April 12). Safety of Tubular Nylon Webbing: The Effect of Wet and Cold Environments. Retrieved from http://jur.byu.edu/?p=21529

Warfighter Scuba is a Non-Profit 501 c 3 that provides Scuba Therapy for Veterans. Wounded warriors receive scuba certification from SSI, and a week of scuba diving in Roatan, Honduras. In this video Warfighter CEO, Nick Powers, a United States Marine Corps Veteran demonstrates how fast / efficient the OMNA Marine Tourniquet can be applied in the water. The OMNA Tourniquet had spent over 6 months in the Mares BCD for numerous dives, and was only freshwater dunked in the dive locker post dives. The OMNA Marine Tourniquet had no rust or corrosion, or other deterioration of materials from the repetitive saltwater exposure, which is something no other tourniquet on the market can match. According to studies conducted by the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research the more common windlass tourniquets must remain in the packaging at all times to preserve efficacy; in studies other tourniquets have shown as much as a 40% loss in effectiveness from normal everyday exposure. Therefore, it is logical that the same more common tourniquets when exposed to a marine environment would lose even more effectiveness aka efficacy and at a much more rapid pace. The OMNA Marine Tourniquet uses proprietary marine-grade materials that don't absorb water, are not affected by saltwater and UV rays, therefore, you can dive with OMNA TQs without fear of losing efficacy.

SCOPE

Purpose

The salt fog method is performed to determine the effectiveness of protective coatings and finishes on materials. It may also be applied to determine the effects of salt deposits on the physical and electrical aspects of materiel.

Application

Use this method for screening purposes only to evaluate the effectiveness and quality of protective coatings and finishes on materiel and material coupons, and to locate potential problem areas, quality control deficiencies, design flaws, etc., in a relatively short period of time. Although not representative of the natural environment (see paragraph 1.3b), this test has been used to provide an indication of potential problem areas associated with the salt (marine) environment. In general, only apply this method to materiel that will experience significant exposure (as opposed to infrequent or irregular) to high levels of salt in the atmosphere.

TEST PROCESS

Procedure

• Step 1. With the test item in the chamber, adjust the test chamber temperature to 35°C, and condition the test item for at least two hours before introducing the salt fog.

• Step 2. Continuously atomize a salt solution of a composition as given in paragraph 4.5.1.1b into the test chamber for a period of 24 hours or as specified in the test plan (see paragraph 2.2.3). During the entire exposure period, measure the salt fog fallout rate and pH of the fallout solution at least at 24-hour intervals4/. Ensure the fallout is between 1 and 3 ml/80cm2/hr.

• Step 3. Dry the test item at standard ambient temperatures and a relative humidity of less than 50 percent for 24 hours, or as otherwise specified (see paragraph 2.2.3). Minimize handling the test item or adjusting any mechanical features during the drying period.

• Step 4. If the 48/48-hrs option has been chosen, proceed to Step 5. Otherwise, at the end of the drying period, repeat steps 1 to 3 at least once.

• Step 5. After completing the physical and any electrical checkouts, document the results with photographs. See paragraph 5 for analysis of results. If necessary to aid in the follow-on corrosion examination, use a gentle wash in running water that is at standard ambient conditions, conduct the corrosion examination, and document the results with photographs.

• Step 6. Visually inspect the test item in accordance with the guidelines given in paragraph 4.5.1.2.

On September 15, 2018, Arthur Medici was body boarding off the coast of Wellfleet, Massachusetts, when he had a fatal encounter with a great white shark. Bystanders on the beach attempted to assist him when he made it to shore, however, it took him too long to get to shore, and he subsequently bled to death before arriving to shore. Cape Cod First Responder response times are longer than average because of the local terrain, and as Good Samaritans and off duty lifeguards discovered surfboard leash cords make horrible improvised tourniquets.

Emergency medical studies show that the failure rate of improvised tourniquets is as high as 75% - 84% in normal environments.

Water changes everything; therefore, it is logical that the already high failure rate of improvised tourniquets would increase in a marine environment; just like first responder response times. As surfers it is your responsibility to have the proper surfing abilities, to know first aid, and be self-reliant. The best way to do this is to surf with an OMNA Tourniquet Surfboard Leash.

The first and only surfer’s tourniquet enables you to apply a tourniquet made for in-water application, and is integrated directly into your leash or leg rope.

Being prepared in the water, also means being able to stop the bleed from a laceration, which while shark attacks are rare, and fin cuts are more likely most should be prepared for, and if you can do so with equipment you will already be surfing it’s a win-win.

First Responders such as Lifeguards are the first line of defense on the beach. Their local knowledge of water and beach conditions along with first aid training mean they offer the most comprehensive immediate life saving response. Having the right gear for the job, and the ability to rapidly deploy enables lifeguards and surf life savers to most efficiently do their job rendering aid. Marine rescue equipment such as the iconic red torpedo buoy, or rescue surfboard allow rescuers to reach swimmers in distress to prevent drowning, but what about bleeding control? Most lifeguards are still using older tourniquets that the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research studies show must stay in their packaging in a first aid kit to maintain effectiveness. Furthermore, most life saving organizations do not keep tourniquets immediately accessible, which means precious time is wasted, that could be the difference between life and death. So what is the ideal stop the bleed, bleeding control tourniquet for lifeguards, and surf life savers?

OMNA Tourniquets are the first and only marine grade tourniquets in the world. They utilize an innovative marine ratcheting system that facilitates tourniquet application in the water; reducing the time from injury in the water to tourniquet application, keeping as much blood in the body as possible. 

1. Windlass tourniquet mechanisms are ineffective in the water, therefore, OMNA tourniquets give rescuers, and other first responders an edge in the maritime environment. 
2. OMNA Tourniquets use only marine-grade materials. The proprietary webbing and thread is hydrophobic (Doesn't absorb water) like other tourniquets that use nylon. They also have superior UV resistance. Why? Because unlike other tourniquets, OMNA Tourniquets are made for exposure out side of their packaging to the elements, and not just any elements, the marine environment.
3. OMNA Tourniquets and Tourniquet Surfboard Leashes can be attached to lifeguard rescue torpedos also known as, "Torps," which makes them Torp Tourniquets. This unique advantage allows lifeguards and surf life savers to always have immediate access to their tourniquet to stop the bleed from keg cuts, surfboard fin lacerations, shark bites, outboard motor propeller cuts, and more.

Time matters in lifesaving, and so does having the right equipment designed for your specific use, users, and environment. When it comes to stopping a limb arterial bleed in or around the water, the choice is clear, OMNA Tourniquets.

Be prepared, Be Ready 

Boat propellers, coral, shipwrecks, barracuda, sharks, and other hazards are present at all times when scuba diving. First aid preparedness in the water is a challenging endeavor because bleeding injuries requires marine-grade medical equipment such as tourniquets, or dry, sterile gauze and dressings. Since you’re dealing with water the idea of bringing dry, sterile gauze or dressings with you is not possible, and until recently there were no tourniquets that were marine-grade. OMNA Inc. recently introduced the first and only Marine Tourniquet that is capable of withstanding the saltwater environment.

When it comes to Dive 1^stAid The OMNA Marine Tourniquet is the ideal tourniquet for a divers alert network.

They feature: 

OMNA Marine Tourniquets provide divers the means to stop the bleed while in the water. The marine ratcheting buckle mechanical advantage system enables divers to efficiently and rapidly control bleeding in the water without having to get back to shore or to their boat to apply a tourniquet. In addition, its textured exterior enable users to grip the components more effectively in water, which speeds up application time for a system that is already designed so that it can be used by anyone regardless of strength. 

To learn more about OMNA Emergency First Response Marine Tourniquets, Dive 1^st Aid, or join the Divers Network sign-up for an Alert on the footer of our homepage at: 

www.omnainc.com

Underwater Dive Tourniquet Application Videos of OMNA Tourniquets

Whether you are a scuba diver, spearo, or free diver the importance of keeping a tourniquet on your person or at a minimum your boat cannot be stressed enough. Do you know if your tourniquet is marine grade? Do you know why marine grade tourniquets are a necessity in the water?

The marine environment is one of the most corrosive and harsh environments on products, which is why there is a difference between normal, everyday tourniquets, and marine-grade tourniquets. Traditional windlass tourniquets, and other common types are not marine grade. They use materials that absorb water, which makes them weaker, are highly susceptible to UV and marine deterioration, corrode, and or rust. These more common tourniquets are not made for exposure and have been scientifically proven through studies to have a 40% loss in effectiveness from regular everyday exposure outside of packaging. The latter is why if you take a windlass tourniquet out of it’s packaging the manufacturer voids your warranty. They know that its not made for exposure, it’s a single use device, that must be kept in its packaging.

Durability:

Marine environment activities require marine tourniquets that can withstand repetitive saltwater exposure without significant loss in effectiveness or degradation of materials.

Effectiveness:

Marine Tourniquets are designed for in-water tourniquet applications. Not all mechanical advantage systems are the same; water can complicate and slow down systems that may work ok on land.

Which Tourniquet is Marine-Grade?

The first and only marine grade tourniquet is made by OMNA Inc.

• 100% Marine-Grade
• Ocean Rated
• Engineered for repetitive saltwater exposure and training use
• Fast in-water application system
• Hydrophobic (Doesn’t absorb water)
• Superior UV, Corrosion, and Marine Resistant Properties
• Neutral Buoyancy

Statistics show that the most common surf trauma injury is caused by a surfboard, is a laceration, and affects a surfers leg. Many of these injuries occur from surfboard fins, also known as skeg cuts.

Foilboards don't just have 1-3 fins like traditional surfboards, they have a long vertical and horizontal hydrofoil capable of doing exponentially more damage to a surfer. So what's the solution?

1. Proper Training: proper training helps surfers surf within their abilities, and conditions.

2. OMNA Tourniquets: OMNA makes tourniquet surf leashes and other surf tourniquets like the OMNA Marine Tourniquet. These innovative marine tourniquets enable surfers to immediately control bleeding from surf bleeding while still in the water. This enables them to lose less blood, and provides the best means of survival in the surf / marine environments. to learn more visit www.omnainc.com

Law Enforcement Officers already have a lot of equipment on their duty belt. Some don't have room to add a tourniquet. The OMNA Amphibious Tourniquet has a unique capability that other tourniquets don't, it is wearable. So what's the advantage? For LEO like Police, Sheriffs, and other law enforcement and protective security agents the OMNA Amphibious Tourniquet can be worn on their ankle. If there is room on their duty belts they can also strap the OMNA Amphibious Tourniquet to their belt, which saves them money because they don't need to buy an extra pouch. To learn more visit the OMNA Amphibious Tourniquet page.

Recently, there has been a considerable amount of press and media coverage in regards to Stop The Bleed courses as it relates to Cape Cod, and surfers. This is in response to 2 Great White Shark attacks that took place during 2018, one of which was fatal. Witnesses attempted to improvise a tourniquet from the body boarders leash cord, however, it failed, and he had already lost too much blood in the water trying to get to shore. Having a tourniquet built right into your leash is the solution for numerous reasons, chief amongst them is that its immediately available, and made for rapid application in the water. 

The weeklong Florida Pro Surf competition is being held at Sebastian Inlet State Park, January 14-20, 2019 on Florida’s Space Coast, reinforcing the area’s prominence as a world-class surfing destination. This event will host a World Surf League qualifying series event for men and women.

The 2019 Florida Pro will feature:

• WOMEN'S QS 3000 competition

• MEN'S QS 1500 competition

The Florida Pro will also host a "Champions & Icons" presented by Cocoa Beach Surf Co. non-World Surf League sanctioned event featuring former World Surf League champions and professionals such as CJ Hobgood...

Sebastian Inlet State Park Directions

The park is south of Melbourne's beaches and straddles the inlet with access on both the North and South sides. Over three miles of ocean facing beaches makes Sebastian Inlet a family-friendly destination for fishing, surfing, boating, and first peak offers one of the most consistent surf breaks in Florida. 

OMNA Inc.

As a Florida based business and water safety expert OMNA is honored to be one of the sponsors of the Florida Surf Pro. We wish all the WSL Qualifying competitors the best of luck in the surfing competition.

About OMNA: OMNA is the first and only marine medical device manufacturer to develop surf and marine specific first aid solutions such as: marine tourniquets, tourniquet surfboard leashes, surfer first aid kits, and surf trauma stations. These water sport, and marine lifesaving solutions are made for repetitive ocean exposure, and add only increased capabilities and performance to Omna users. Go to www.omnainc.com to see the OMNA advantage.  

The Tribune of San Luis Obispo reports 19-year-old Nick Wapner was bitten around 10 a.m. Tuesday in the waters off Montaña de Oro State Park.

Park Ranger Supervisor Robert Colligan tells the newspaper that Wapner reported being attacked by a 15-foot (4.6-meter) great white shark that clamped down on his right ankle and then up to his left thigh.

Colligan says Wapner kicked free of the shark and got himself to a hospital, where he received about 50 stitches to close his wounds.

Wapner is a student at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

Warning signs have been posted on beaches in the area 200 miles (322 kilometres) northwest of Los Angeles.

-Via Associated Press

Efficacy of the OMNA tourniquet Surfboard Leash For the Surf & Surfers

Extremity bleeding from traumatic injuries in the water, especially surfing makes up roughly 50% of surf trauma injuries¹. While sharks account for only a small percentage of surf injuries they are sensationalized by the media, which can have negative economical, tourism, and local quality of life effects ². Contrary to public perception, fatalities from shark encounters are generally not from the shark bite, most shark bites are investigational, but the damage incurred to a human limb can be severe. The actual cause of fatalities in these incidents is massive blood loss because the time from injury in the surf, to shore, to life saving application of a commercial pre-hospital tourniquet either takes too long, and or there is no tourniquet immediately available, and present, which is why reports of makeshift / improvised surf leashes are often reported, but said reports are anecdotal, and when further research is conducted the effectiveness of the makeshift tourniquet is often found to be in question. According to medical studies from the likes of Kragh et al, 2008, makeshift / improvised tourniquets have a > 75% failure rate ³. Implementing a fast, effective means for surfers to self apply a tourniquet to control bleeding is therefore paramount, because the time it takes to get out of the water allows a surfer to lose too much blood, and interventions such as pressing your knee into the inguinal canal to compress the femoral artery in the water is impossible and ineffective⁴. Furthermore, lifesaving interventions on shore like bleeding control stations are ineffective for many beaches and surf breaks. Considering that, Ballas et al, 2017, concluded that the single determining factor of shark attack survival is how fast a commercial pre-hospital tourniquet can be applied to a limb 5 , the integration of a marine-grade tourniquet with water sport leashes is the most logical and implementable solution.

Carrying a commercial, pre-hospital tourniquet in the surf and marine environment has been a challenging endeavor due to a variety of factors such as durability, loss of efficacy from exposure, size, weight, and ability to carry. For example:

• Traditional tourniquets when removed from packaging void their warranties, and require the user to twist a windlass bar, which is an unnatural motion, further complicated by water, trauma, and surf.
• Traditional tourniquet exposure to a normal everyday environment has been shown to have a dramatic drop in effectiveness by as much as 40% - 50%⁶.
• Ratcheting buckles have been shown to be 28% more intuitive than windlass bars in studies ⁷.
• Tourniquets have been associated with loss of compression after application⁸, which would be further complicated by water from or in the marine environment.

Even though the FDA, TGA, and the like classify tourniquets as class 1, low-risk, medical devices, myths like losing a limb if you apply a tourniquet, or that a tourniquet should be loosened periodically still permeate the civilian populace. Tourniquets are routinely used in orthopedic surgery everyday; their effectiveness and safety is well-established ⁹. Outside of the hospital, and in the water is where things change. Water complicates everything, breaking waves amplifies water complications.

The integration of a tourniquet made for the marine environment that can withstand repetitive ocean exposure without significant loss in efficacy, directly with a surfboard leash also known as a leg rope or surf rope to some is the ideal solution. The surfer does not have to remember to bring any extra gear, it is immediately available, present at all times in the surf, is lightweight, rugged, durable, and its marine ratcheting buckle design is optimum for surfer use while still maintaining control of their surfboard or other water sports equipment.

In 2016, OMNA Inc. tested the first and only tourniquet surfboard leash. The OMNA Tourniquet Leash efficacy was clearly superior to existing combat tourniquets, and the testing of makeshift / improvised surf leash cords were determined to be ineffective in achieving arterial occlusion pressure. Doppler Ultrasound images from the study are presented below.

References:

1. Taylor DM, Bennett D, Carter M, Garewal D, Finch CF. Acute injury and chronic disability resultingfromsurfboardJSciMedSport.2004Dec;7(4):429-37.PubMedPMID:15712498.
2. Andrew Nathanson; Clayton Everline; Mark Renneker. Surf Survival: The Surfer’s Health Handbook, 2019.
3. Kragh JF Jr, Walters TJ, Baer DG, Fox CJ, Wade CE, Salinas J, Holcomb JB. Practical use of emergency tourniquets to stop bleeding in major limb trauma. J Trauma. 2008 Feb;64(2 Suppl):S38-49; discussion S49-50. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e31816086b1. PubMed PMID: 18376170.
4. Taylor, Nicholas, Lamond, David. (SHARC) Stopping Haemorrhage by Application of Rope tourniquet or inguinal Compression, 2018.
5. Clinicalfeaturesof27sharkattackcasesonLaRéunionBallasR,SaettaG,PeuchotC, Elkienbaum P, Poinsot E. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2017 May;82(5):952-955.
6. Weppner,,Lang,M.,Sunday,R.,&Debiasse,N.(2013).Efficacyoftourniquetsexposedtothe Afghanistan combat environment stored in individual first aid kits versus on the exterior of plate carriers. Military medicine, 178(3),334-337.
7. Valliere MJ, Wall PL, Buising CM. From Pull to Pressure: Effects of Tourniquet Buckles and Straps. J Am Coll Surg. 2018 Sep;227(3):332-345. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2018.06.005. Epub 2018 Jun 30. PubMed PMID: 29966694.
8. Mary R P Rometti and Piper L. Wall and Charisse M. Buising and Yvonne Gildemaster and James W Hopkins and Sheryl M. Sahr. Significant Pressure Loss Occurs Under Tourniquets Within Minutes of Application. Journal of special operations medicine : a peer reviewed journal for SOF medical professionals, 2017, volume 16(4), 15-26.
9. Sharma, J. P., & Salhotra, R. (2012). Tourniquets in orthopedic surgery. Indian journal of orthopaedics, 46(4), 377-83.

OMNA Inc., the first and only surf / marine specific tourniquet and first aid company partners to support Warfighter Scuba a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit that provides immersion therapy to veterans with ptsd through scuba diving, sailing, and fishing. Wounded veterans are certified to dive with warfighter and  leave healthier and more ready to re-engage in life.

"Warfighter Scuba is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing combat-wounded veteran service members from NATO countries a new life experience. Our mission is to teach and certify wounded veterans Scuba by offering custom-tailored training and worldwide recognized certifications as a means of providing our war heroes an alternate outlet for their burdens of war.  No one forgotten, no one left behind." - Warfighter Scuba

Warfighter Scuba (WFS) offers a complete service to veterans from NATO countries suffering from PTSD, Amputations, Paralysis, etc. suffered from wounds in combat.  

These services include:

• Custom ISO regulated Scuba Certification solely designed for veterans with combat wounds that will be recognized around the world for recreational scuba.
• WFS feels that with the amount of depression and suicide in the worldwide veteran communities scuba offers a very therapeutic environment to help veterans deal with their wounds.  Getting the wounded veterans out of their current situations up to and including thoughts of suicide by placing them in an unfamiliar environment that is never the same.  If you speak to most wounded veterans they feel like their life is meaningless because there is nothing left for them to accomplish or they are tired of every day being the same.  Opening up the entire world to these wounded veterans and giving them the ability to scuba anywhere all while tailoring the certification to their individual needs greatly increases their moral.
• WFS primarily operates in Roatan, Honduras.  Roatan is a beautiful island in the caribbean in the far western point.  It houses the second largest barrier reef in the world with conditions year round that make it a top scuba destination worldwide.  The conditions here allow for ease of training without fear of strong currents or bad visibility allowing the wounded veterans to train with minimal risk and maximum excitement.
• The wounded veterans enjoy all lodging, meals and expenses paid for by WFS operating as a Non-profit Organization (NPO) because of our wonderful donors.
• Medical staff is on site at all training and dives to maintain a safe training environment for the veterans.  A recompression chamber is a 15-minute boat ride away from the dive training area with fully trained medically staff capable of handling all diver injuries.  Medevac is also on standby here to return any serious injuries to the United States for treatment.

OMNA Inc., supports Warfighter and its mission to improve the lives of veterans. As the first and only manufacturer of marine tourniquets, tourniquet surfboard leashes, surf first aid kits, and marine ratcheting buckles we are uniquely able to provide surf life saving gear to these veterans and divers. Coincidently, both OMNA and Warfighter were both founded by former U.S. Marine / U.S. Navy members, giving them intangible maritime expertise naval service experience.

To learn more about Warfighter and how you can support veterans and their mission visit their website WARFIGHTER SCUBA

Alex Soto Ciriaco was foilboarding when he had an accident with a shark. Contrary to popular belief sharks are not the most dangerous animal in the surf.

The First & Only Tourniquet Surfboard Leash Study was conducted for OMNA Inc., in November 2016. The study was designed to determine the efficacy of the OMNA Tourniquet Leash, the first of its kind surf tourniquet for surfers. An independent vascular clinic was contacted and subsequently performed the study. During the Study the OMNA Tourniquet Surfboard Leash also known as a surf rope was applied to the arm and leg, during both tests the OMNA tourniquet was able to achieve 100% occlusion of the brachial and femoral arteries. 

Conversely, when a normal 6' x 7 mm diameter surfboard leash was wrapped around a leg and pulled tight, the improvised aka makeshift tourniquet failed to reach occlusion. 

"The results of this study showed that improvising a tourniquet with a surf leash is actually an ineffective tourniquet, and that OMNA Tourniquet Surf Leashes provide a superior advantage to surfers for surf trauma injuries for a variety of reasons."

OMNA Tourniquet Surfboard Leashes Advantages:

1. Immediately Available: because the tourniquet is integrated directly into a surf leash it is always available, does not add any additional weight to the surfer, nor does it interfere with their surfing. This  means a surfer has bleeding control protection at all times, without having to worry about it, and can focus on why they're in the water, which is to get barreled.

2. Marine-Grade: OMNA Tourniquets are 100% marine grade, and while they should only be used for 1 actual severe bleeding injury, they are not marked with the single use medical device symbol because they'll be with you in the water for an extended period of time, so they are made to last.

3. Made For Water: Marketing is one thing, engineering is another. Every OMNA component and part is engineered for repetitive ocean exposure and use. This includes tourniquet application. The OMNA marine ratcheting surf buckle system facilities surfer rapid tourniquet application that is up to 3x faster than traditional tourniquets, can be done one-handed, and allows for surfboard or other water sport gear retention.

4. Durability: OMNA Tourniquets are marine grade, thus they do not have to stay in their packaging, and can withstand exposure. 

5. Instructions On TQ: Instructions for use are on the exterior of every OMNA tourniquet, and they can be read from either side. So no matter which way you have your OMNA TQ, you can read the instructions.

Lifeguards must carry tourniquets that are marine grade. Lifeguards are stationed on beaches, and work in the ocean, which means there are unique surf rescue challenges that must be accounted for in a tourniquets design in order to ensure that it can be applied effectively and rapidly. Lifeguard organizations that procure and carry traditional generic tourniquets may find themselves at a huge disadvantage in the water, and carrying a huge risk of liability due to inadequate tourniquet selection.

Since a lifeguard’s life revolves around their performance in the water, a lifeguard’s gear, especially a tourniquet should too. Traditional tourniquets with a windlass application are slower, less effective, lower quality, are not made to withstand exposure, and thus void their warranties upon removal from packaging. This means the use of a combat windlass tourniquet in the marine environment can hurt not help a lifeguard, and it also means that a lifeguard using this tourniquet type will be adding to the oceans plastic pollution. #plasticfreewave

A few tourniquets market themselves as marine grade, however, upon actual inspection, and testing you will find there is only one tourniquet manufacturer actually making tourniquets with 100% marine-grade materials, and with engineering to optimize in-water tourniquet application. These tourniquets which are ideal for lifeguards to practice surf life saving are made by OMNA Inc. OMNA tourniquets are developed by a number of Marines, Surfers, and Divers, thus giving them a unique and required perspective in what actually works best for lifeguards using a tourniquet in surf life saving.

As a lifeguard, if you are using a tourniquet there has likely been a wipeout or collision in the surf zone, a person has been cut with an outboard motor, or possibly a shark investigated a human thinking it was a fish or seal. Any one of these scenarios means you and the victim are at a minimum wet, likely treading water, or swimming. Your hands, limbs, and bodies are slippery, and your environment is unstable. Now add blood, injury, hysterical victim, and stress to the mix, which further increase the slippery and danger factors. If you make it to shore, then there is the sand factor, which we won’t get into here at this time.

If you the lifeguard weren’t able to get a tourniquet on the victim immediately upon reaching them in the water, none of that matters, because it’s necessary for you to get that tourniquet applied before you got anywhere near shore. If you were rescuing a surfer that was 100 yards offshore in the line-up you’ve got to get to the surfer, initiate rescue, and get them back to shore. The time for that entire process can easily exceed the time you have to stop a bleed, to prevent death from bleeding out. Swimming 100 yards in a pool takes easily 2 minutes, that same swim in the ocean can take 3-4 minutes, and you as a lifeguard have to swim that to the victim and back with the victim, which can further increase that time. That’s too long to let a victim continue to bleed to ensure safety, and survival. You might get them out of the water alive, but did they lose more than 20% of their blood supply? If they did they’ve developed hypovolemic shock, and their organs are failing, and that’s what actually kills people.

Signs Your Tourniquet Isn't Right For Lifeguarding

• If you as a lifeguard are using a tourniquet that was developed by the Army and not Marines, you are using the wrong tourniquet.
• If you as a lifeguard are using a tourniquet that was engineered and tested on land in a controlled environment, you are using the wrong tourniquet.
• If you as a lifeguard are using a tourniquet that has to stay in it’s packaging because exposure immensely reduces its effectiveness, you’re using the wrong tourniquet.
• If you as a lifeguard are using a tourniquet that has a windlass bar, you’re going to find that its impossible to apply to a swimmer in distress, you’re using the wrong tourniquet. 

Signs Your Tourniquet Is A Lifeguard Tourniquet

• If you as a lifeguard are using a tourniquet that’s made with 100% marine grade materials, components, and design, you’re using the right tourniquet; you’re using an OMNA Marine Tourniquet.
• If you as a lifeguard are using a tourniquet that has a marine ratcheting surf buckle system, you’re using the right tourniquet, an OMNA Marine Tourniquet.
• If you as a lifeguard are using a tourniquet that’s made for repetitive ocean exposure, you’re using the right tourniquet, an OMNA Marine Tourniquet.
• If you as a lifeguard are using a tourniquet that can be applied in the water rapidly, you’re using the right tourniquet, an OMNA Marine Tourniquet.
• If you as a lifeguard are using a tourniquet that can be applied by anyone regardless of size, strength, or ability, you’re using the right tourniquet, an OMNA Marine Tourniquet.

#surfing #lifeguard #tourniquet #surflifesaving #surfer #surfrescue #nationalseashore

A scuba diver has died from a shark attack off the coast of Mexico. 35-year-old Nahum Verdugo Aguilera was visiting the resort city of Puerto Penasco in the North Western state of Sonora, on the Gulf of California, when the incident occurred. He was originally from the state of Baja, and was said to be a good scuba diver. Police reported that the shark encounter happened around 11am when the victim went out spearfishing with his friends. His friends said the incident happened almost immediately when he entered the water. The shark which the type and size has yet to be determined completely ripped off his left leg at the hip, and caused other trauma to his torso. Other Spearfishermen fishing with him found him floating on the surface, and quickly pulled him into the boat to render first aid, and get him to medical attention. However, the divers were not carrying any first aid equipment like marine tourniquets, surf first aid kits, or other marine grade life saving medical devices so they were unable to render first aid to save his life.

Shark attacks, while rare, seem to have an increasing probability due to a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to the following:

More people in the water

Larger shark populations

Global Warming

Ocean Pollution

Migratory and hunting territory changes

Over fishing

Entering the ocean or any environment for that matter demands preparation and respect for the environment and its locals. For example, as a surfer paddling into the lineup at the Banzai Pipeline, North Shore, Oahu, with preparation and respect for the locals will get you hurt in a number of ways. The same holds true for any of the following:

Boating

Fishing

Spearfishing

Freediving

Scuba-diving

Wake surfing

Kite surfing

Wind surfing

Surf Life Saving

Etc…

Water safety and other medical professionals such as lifeguards, and emergency medical providers recommend carrying tourniquets, and other first aid equipment that are 100% marine-grade, and or surf / water specific. Having the right tool for the job, means having the right tool designed for the environment you may have to use said tool. Not all tourniquets are created and or function the same. The water is and always will be a mitigating factor that inherently complicates relatively simple procedures and protocols immensely.  A tourniquet that may be successfully used on land, may not work well in water. For example, the United States Marines have found that windlass bar style tourniquets are impossible to apply to a swimmer in distress in the water, and that’s just one of the disadvantages for that style of tourniquet. To date the most effective tourniquets for the water and marine environment are made by OMNA. OMNA Tourniquets water effectiveness is due to their design being 100% marine-grade, with every detail and component being engineered for, and optimized for water use, exposure, and tourniquet application. To read more about the OMNA Advantage visit their website by clicking the hyper linked text.

Sharks are some of the oceans best predators, and while humans are not part of their general diet, mistakes do happen, and a shark may capitalize on an opportunity if hungry just like any other predator would. The movie Jaws, while fictional, has developed a mindset of fear in many people, so much so that they won’t even go in the water. It doesn’t even matter that there are no sharks stalking humans from the Eastern Seaboard to the Bahamas like in the movies, people are still afraid of sharks. The fear is totally understandable, something twice your size, with razor sharp teeth, appear seemingly out of nowhere in the water, puts a human at a sever disadvantage. While the chance of a shark attack is typically low, its still a good idea to be prepared with first aid equipment just in case something does happen, whether it is a shark, or some other type of marine injury. So take the following into account when enjoying the water:

1. Avoid Swimming During Certain Times: Sharks are generally more active at dawn and dusk. These low light conditions have been found to correlate to an increase in shark activity.

2. Avoid Murky Water: Water with low visibility is likely to contribute to a shark misidentifying its prey, resulting in a shark potentially biting you on your surfboard, or mistaking you for a seal in your cozy wetsuit while diving.

3. Safety In Numbers: It’s generally best to surf, dive, or swim with more than one person. Multiple people means more than one set of eyes and ears on the water so in case a shark bites someone, is near drowning, or needs assistance in rescue or first aid there is more than one person available.

4. Have A Plan: Having a plan of action in case of a dangerous event also helps provide a means of protection, especially if it’s a group response.

5. Understand How Sharks Communicate: Sharks have a unique way of communicating with body language. If a shark feels threatened it may exhibit body language such as arching their back, jaw gaping, or lowering their fins on the side of their body.

6. Remain Calm & Move Deliberately: If you do encounter a shark and its just investigating do your best to remain calm, and move deliberately. A shark may key in on you and investigate further with its mouth if you start splashing and swimming erratically, which how injured prey would move. A few years ago a surfer encountered a 3-meter great white shark off the South West coast of Australia while surfing. He remained calm, and paddled deliberately so as not to look like prey, and while the shark hung around to check him out, he was able to slowly paddle to shore, and they both went their separate ways.

7. Defend Yourself: If a shark does bite you, and you are able to fight back aim for the eyes, gills, or nose. Be careful to not stick your hand or arm into the sharks’ mouth further injuring you. In addition, sharks have a protective cover for their eyes that they activate when attacking so gouging the eyes may not be as effective as hoped.

8. Self-Defense Weapons: As a diver it is possible to carry a dive knife, spear gun, or boom stick as a means of defense. Simple pocking a shark with the end of your spear gun may be enough to keep it at bay until you can exit the water. As surfers though the options are a bit more limited though.

9. Shark Deterrents: Currently, there are a few electronic shark deterrents on the market. They typically have a hefty price tag, and may be cumbersome to carry or use. Make sure you do your research before you buy though because there are some so-called shark deterrents on the market that say they reduce the risk of shark attack, but have numerous incidences of the device failing, and more importantly hide the fact on their website that it doesn’t work on great whites. If a shark deterrent doesn’t work on great whites, then its useless. The same can be said for some of the other forms of snake oil like wax with herbs and spices. Other Shark Deterrents: Other potential shark deterrents or technologies are wetsuits that incorporate camouflage to help you blend into the water or environment, overlays for the bottom on your surfboard that make you look like a poisonous animal, or big eyes.

10. Tourniquets:

When it comes to bleeding control tourniquets are one of the best tools available. When it comes to the ocean and water, you’re going to want to make sure your tourniquet is a marine tourniquet with user-friendly mechanism to tighten. OMNA makes the worlds only marine tourniquets that are specifically designed for marine professionals and water sports. OMNA also incorporates their tourniquets into surfboard, body board, and paddleboard leashes (leg ropes) for surfers. Since Dr. Ballas the lead researcher on the first clinical shark attack study ever conducted determined that the single determining factor of shark attack survival is the rapid application of a commercial pre-hospital tourniquet it’s a no-brainer that a tourniquet surfboard leash is the next step in the evolution of surf accessories.

 ^^^ NOT ALL TOURNIQUETS ARE CREATED EQUALLY. ^^^

There are numerous ways to reduce the chance of a shark attack. Whether you choose to enjoy the water at certain times of the day, carry a bazooka, or electronic shark deterrent always remember that those things are not 100% effective. The use of a tourniquet has been proven time-and-time again to be the best first aid device for you to save your life, or the life of someone else so make sure you have one with you in the water, or on the beach.

The most common surf injury you hear about in the news is a shark attack. However, when it comes to trauma, a shark bite is the least common surf trauma injury. The most common surf trauma injury is a laceration, to a leg, but the cause is not what you think, its not a great white shark, it's a surfboard.

The most common diving and boating bleeding trauma cause is an outboard motor propeller, which causes deep lacerations or amputations to the arms or legs.

The probability of human and shark interactions increases due to a variety of factors like more humans in the water, murky water, over fishing, climate change, migratory patterns, ambient light, time of year, El Nino, etc... 

Can a shark cause considerable damage to a human in the ocean, of course.

Are humans on its menu? Nope!

Most shark encounters are sensationalized by the media; a shark is simply looking for its next meal, and you happen to look like some of its usually prey, so it moves in to check you out, with the only thing it can because it doesn't have limbs, its mouth. That's why many so called shark attacks are a few bites, and that's it.

Even though its just investigational you can be left with some severe lacerations and bleeding that must be dealt with immediately with medical devices like tourniquets. Since you are likely to not carry a tourniquet, or if you do carry one it needs to be marine-grade and part of your existing equipment because you will likely repetitively expose it to the ocean which means if its not made for that there is a good change it won't work properly. Almost no tourniquets are actually marine-grade with the exception of 1, and only 1 is integrated into a surfboard leash, so do your research, don't succumb to disruptive marketing that may jeopardize your life, or the life of a loved one. 

If want to surf, dive, and enjoy the water with no worries, and you don't want to risk your tourniquet breaking from exposure, be tourniquet smart, not just shark smart, choose OMNA. 

Check out the OMNA Advantage

One of the greatest fears of a surfer is the sudden, menacing presence of a shark lunging at them with mouth wide open looking to sink its teeth into you.

The thought alone is enough to scare numerous people away from surfing alone, even if the statistics show that the risk and or chance of an aggressive shark encounter is relatively low. Fear is fear, and for those that don't know or understand the stoke and flow state of surfing they'll never understand, and they'll always give into the fear.

"Surfings the source, it'll change your life, you're never too old to start." - Point Break

Regardless, shark attacks do happen, and there are numerous other mechanisms of injury that cause lacerations when surfing, which is why bleeding is the most common trauma injury in surfing. So what can be done? The ideal medical solution is the integration of a tourniquet with a surfboard leash also known as a leg rope. The idea itself presents a wide array of engineering and medical problems that must be solved to make a device like this a reality, and not just something that can be made, something that can be proven to work, and conform to medical device manufacturing standards. 

Lucky for surfers it has been done. OMNA a sustainable surf company just so happens to integrate a durable marine grade tourniquet with its surf leashes, so in some instances you can call them a shark attack tourniquet, or a surfers tourniquet. The design is engineered for water use and every component has been designed to be the most effective water application. For example, forget the outdated twisting bar also know as a windlass, (Windlass Bar TQs are too slow and clumsy in the water), OMNA uses a marine grade ratcheting buckle system that can easily be operated one-handed regardless of strength, size, or ability. While that doesn't;t resonate with surfers, what does is that its lightweight, doesn't interfere with your surfing, and you won't even notice it, that is unless you need to use it, and if and when that happens its durable construction will ensure its effective for you to control bleeding immediately. 

Available in Competition, Shortboard, Longboard, Big Wave, Paddleboard, Bodyboard, and other surfing variations, sizes, colors....

All Images subject to OMNA Copyright.

A Recon Marine demonstrates how to apply an OMNA Marine Tourniquet while on a military training exercise diving off the East Coast of the United States of America.

The simple, intuitive design is engineered for high-stress water applications on the ocean surface and underwater. During the video you can hear the audible clicks of the OMNA marine ratcheting surf buckle self-locking while compression is added to the limb to achieve to achieve the required arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) to control bleeding.

The OMNA Marine Tourniquet is 100% marine grade, and unlike other tourniquets it is classified as a durable medical device because it is manufactured for repetitive ocean exposure and repetitive training use. The former and the latter equate to superior performance, and considerable cost savings to marines, divers, lifeguards, and the like.

Furthermore, its marine ratcheting system has the best corrosion resistance available on the market because it is made specifically for marine environments. It was never made for skiing, modified, and then marketed as marine after the fact like others. 

The OMNA Marine Tourniquet and its full line of tourniquets and surf first aid kits have a clear cut advantage in the water over the competition.

Contact OMNA to learn more about the OMNA Marine advantage.

THE SURF-FAK ® IS A VACUUM SEALED FIRST AID KIT DESIGNED FOR SURF AND MARINE ENVIRONMENTS. WHETHER AT THE BEACH, ON A BOAT, OR IN THE WATER THIS FIRST AID KIT WILL KEEP YOU READY.

Contents Each Kit:

1 OMNA Tourniquet

1 Compact Compression Dressing

2 Compressed Gauze, (Sterile)

2 Pairs Nitrile (Textured Grip & High-Vis) Gloves

1 Klever Kutter

1 Permanent Marker

1 Rescue Blanket

1 First Care Instructions Card 

1 Vented Chest Seal (Advanced Kits Only)

Marine Combat Tourniquet - Made by Marines for Marines 

The Marine environment requires a marine-grade tourniquet. Put any tourniquet in the hands of a Marine or Sailor while they are doing their job, and you’ll know why. How do I know this, simple, I am a Marine. I spent several years in the Marine Infantry and Marine Reconnaissance community, so I know what’s needed and why when it comes to maritime and amphibious operations. That’s why I made the OMNA Marine Tourniquet, a marine combat tourniquet like no other. Watch the video above to see the OMNA advantage:

There is marketing, then there is real marine. American rescue companies invest their resources in marketing because they want to be everything to everyone, even though their combat tourniquet is not, and cannot.

OMNA is different, we invest in products and people, we believe in a better way, something greater. OMNA is NOT driven by corporate profit margins like the other companies. We are a service disabled veteran owned small business that has roots in surfing, search & rescue, diving, recon, marine, and numerous other maritime professions and water sports, so we know what you actually need. OMNA Tourniquets are made specifically for water use, every detail extensively engineered and tested for optimized performance in marine / maritime environments. What we care about is providing you the end user the best tourniquet, ifak, or trauma station in or near the water. 

For example, the OMNA Marine Tourniquet is designed and patented with innovative marine features. It's not just a medical device, its classified as a durable medical good. It doesn't matter how strong or weak you may be, the mechanical advantage, materials, and design bridges the gaps you need in the surf and ocean to be successful. You don't have to be some jacked lifeguard to successfully apply the marine tourniquet, the instructions are even on the device so that no matter which way you look at it, you can read them.

Check out our website, social media, and send us any questions you may have so you can better understand the OMNA advantage.