Some 65 sheriff’s deputies have received tourniquet kits in an effort to save lives by stopping uncontrolled bleeding in severe accidents

Sheriff’s Deputy Jonathan Smith applies a tourniquet to an arm of Dep. Brad Nuccio

Lt. Raymond Theriot places a tourniquet on his right arm.

Sixty-five St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies have been issued tourniquet kits and received training in an effort to prevent deaths in severe accidents by stopping uncontrolled bleeding, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“This has the potential to save a life’ when deputies are called to the scene of an auto accident, a shooting or other type situations in which a victim is bleeding from a wound, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Staff members from the Level 1 Trauma Center at Interim LSU Hospital in New Orleans met recently with 65 sheriff’s deputies, who were issued tourniquets and given instructions about their use and importance.

The Trauma Center received grants and other funding to obtain the tourniquets for law enforcement agencies and have neen issuing to numerous police agencies in the state, including Louisiana State Police and New Orleans police. Use of tourniquets to control bleeding were essential in saving lives of people injured in the terrorist bombing at the 2013 Boston Marathan, staff members told deputies.

“They save lives,’’ said St. Bernard Deputy Sheriff Byron Shoemaker. a certified medical technician for 20 years and the medic for several of the Sheriff’s Office divisions and the SWAT Team. Shoemaker was involved in working with the Level 1 Trauma Center to get the tourniquets for sheriff’s deputies.