Compressible Clamp Treats Emergency Junctional Hemorrhages

An innovative clamp treats unmanageable amputations and pelvic wounds not addressable with standard limb tourniquets.

The Combat Ready Clamp (CRoC) is a vise-like tourniquet for use on all five anatomical junctions where life-threatening hemorrhage can occur as a result of combat situations, accidents, and terror actions, among others. The atypical tourniquet device is comprised of a vise-like compression disk that creates bilateral pressure exactly where it is needed most, stopping collateral flow, and controlling hemorrhage. Another advantage is that the CRoC can stop bleeding in the umbilicus, inguinal, and axilla regions where standard tourniquets cannot be applied, and traditional hemorrhage control methods are not possible.


The CRoC is lightweight, durable, and collapsible; it has a low cubic volume, and can be assembled and applied in less than a minute, even in a tactical environment. In addition, it adjusts to fit most casualties, and it will not slip during tightening or after application. The CRoC is a product of Combat Medical Systems (Fayetteville, NC, USA), and was developed with the cooperation of the US Army Institute for Surgical Research (San Antonio, TX, USA) and the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (Winston Salem, NC, USA).

“The Combat Ready Clamp is the first device available to treat junctional hemorrhage of the upper extremity on the battlefield or anywhere else, and Combat Medical Systems continues to lead the way in the best care for the nation,” said John Kragh, MD, of the US Army. “We in the military also continue to be impressed with their team which includes Wake Forest University in their commitment to the best care for these casualties.”

Approximately 25% of potentially survivable deaths are due to uncontrolled junctional bleeding, the leading cause of preventable death in combat, and remains the top focus of tactical medicine. Over 800 US military personnel have been hospitalized with these types of injuries during the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of these, more than 150 suffered from upper extremity injuries, 25 of whom died of their wounds.

Related Links:
Combat Medical Systems
US Army Institute for Surgical Research
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center