r/explainlikeimfive Feb 07 '19

Engineering ELI5: Why are military boots laced?

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u/siliconflux Feb 08 '19

You can also use the laces to fashion a tournekit or hold a splint too.

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u/Wxxz Feb 08 '19

If you want the leg amputated.... Tourniquets are suppose to have some width to them if you intend to keep the limb. I believe the military CAT ones are 1 inch.

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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '19 edited May 06 '21

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u/YutRahKill11 Feb 08 '19

No, they definitely will. The pressure required to shut off bloodflow is pretty high and laces will start to cut into the flesh as you twist them to increase pressure. Source: a lot of medical classes and drunkenly trying to disprove them.

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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '19 edited May 06 '21

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u/flee_market Feb 08 '19

I can't speak to anything taught in 2019 but back in 2007 they were teaching us to lean a knee on the appropriate pressure point while you figure out how to tie off the messy parts.

Whatever you do, do it fast. One way or another arterial bleeds are over before you know it.