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5.11 Stryke Pant: The Perfect Pant for the Job W orking in cramped quarters is a fact of life in EMS. But it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice comfort to do it. The 5.11 Stryke Pant, available through Bound Tree Medical, offers a perfect blend of durability and comfort. It's what drew the City of Alpena (MI) Fire Department to it, and what's kept its EMS providers satisfied months later, says Captain Rob Edmonds. "The guys like them and they seem to fit their needs," Edmonds says. "They're com- fortable and durable. Guys seem to like the pockets and the access they have to them. And they like that the material stretches, making it easier to work around a patient on the ground or in the back of the ambulance. Actually, one of the other things the guys like about the flexible material is it gives them a little bit of room in the waist, so obviously if they gain any weight or anything they don't have to go out and buy a new pair of pants." The Stryke Pant with Flex-Tac features a proprietary fabric with built-in stretch. The light - weight, breathable, poly/cotton ripstop incorporates mechanical stretch yarns, meaning the stretch and recovery of the fabric is achieved without the use of spandex. The Stryke Pant with Flex-Tac is soil, stain and fade resistant, and comes out of the wash ready-to-wear. Edmonds adds, "Bound Tree's been very good to us as far as service. And as far as the pants, they seem to be quite durable. We haven't noticed any fading and they seem to keep their color really well. Really, we haven't found anything as of yet that's a downside to the Stryke pants." Visit www.boundtree.com. Circle 44 on the Product Information Card Saving Lives with the SWAT-T T here was a time, not so long ago, when the idea of applying a tourniquet to a patient was considered practically bar- baric. But tourniquets are back in a big way, and the SWAT-T is making its mark. The SWAT-T is field proven with multiple saves. In a class by itself, it can be used as a pri- mary tourniquet for severe hemorrhage, or as a secondary tourniquet/pressure dress- ing/elastic wrap for other trauma. Studies show the SWAT-T is easy to train on, easy to use, safe and highly effective. Matt Sena, MD, FACS, trauma/critical care surgeon, tactical physician, former 18D/NREMT-P, says, "The SWAT-T has sev- eral advantages over the other commercially available tourniquets. In terms of applica- tion, it's the only device that can be used on children and small adults in its current form. Several of the available windlass tour- niquets are challenging for use in pediatric patients. The wider profile of the SWAT-T decreases skin and soft tissue injury that can occur when using narrower windlass tour- niquets in geriatric and pediatric patients. In addition, the SWAT-T is one quarter the cost of the Combat Application Tourniquet. "Most law enforcement agencies do not have the DoD budget and it's unre- alistic to think that will change," Sena continues. "I'm not suggesting some- one purchase a cheaper and ineffective device. To the contrary, the SWAT-T is very effective; however, if you want your device to save lives, it has to be available to the indi- viduals most likely to use it on scene. The cost of the SWAT-T makes that a reality, not just an administrative recommendation." Sena explains the SWAT-T meets all of the requirements for field use—durability, low weight and cube space, and multifunc- tionality. It can be used as a tourniquet, a pressure dressing, an occlusive dressing for chest injuries and a splinting wrap. It doesn't "expire" and can be reused nearly indefinitely in training. Finally, Sena notes, "There is no perfect tourniquet. My professional opinion is that the SWAT-T is an excellent device. I'm aware of multiple cases where application of the SWAT-T by medics, law enforcement and physicians has saved lives in the setting of confirmed arterial injuries. For all of these reasons, I will continue to carry, teach and recommend the SWAT-T." Visit www.SWAT-T.com. Circle 43 on the Product Information Card EMSWORLD.com | MARCH 2015 53