Two inches above the wound, high and tight, never on a joint
Plus: tropical leftovers turn into flood water hundreds of miles from any coast.
Issue #039 Thursday, September 17, 2026 Emergency Skills
A torn artery in the thigh can empty a grown adult in a couple of minutes. A folded shirt in the trunk does not reach that fast, and neither does a kit buried under groceries.
Today’s Skill
High and tight, off the joint
A commercial tourniquet goes two to three inches above the bleed, over bare skin, never across the knee or elbow. Crank the windlass until the bright flow stops, then lock it and write the time on the strap or the skin. It will hurt. That is normal. Keep one in the truck, one in the house, and take a hands-on class from a trained instructor.
On The Radar
Small creeks do the most damage
A narrow creek behind the house can climb out of its bed in a single night when the ground is already saturated. Look up your address on the county flood map this week and walk the low spot on your street. Park uphill before the sky opens, not after. Switch on wireless emergency alerts and keep a battery radio tuned to the local station.
The Drill
Thirty seconds, one hand, today
Pull your trauma kit out tonight and set a timer. Get it open, gloves on, and a tourniquet out of the wrapper in under thirty seconds using one hand only. Run it loose on your own thigh three times so your fingers learn the buckle. Then move the kit somewhere you can reach from the driver’s seat without unbuckling. Finish all of it before bed today.
Ready beats lucky.
- Survival Rise
P.S. Forward this to the person who drives your kids around, then watch for tomorrow’s look at what a flooded road really does to a truck.