Quick Release Tourniquet Carrier

Abstract

The present invention describes a carrier that encases a tactical tourniquet, attaches to the user or the user's gear, and allows a person to quickly access the tourniquet to stop or slow traumatic bleeding. One embodiment comprises an open top half and an open bottom half which connect to encase the tourniquet. Each of the top half and bottom half are removably connected and are held together with a compressive band. Tourniquet rip cords extend through the carrier and may be pulled by the user. To access the tourniquet, the user pulls the carrier from the compressive band by pulling a rip cord. The carrier halves immediately fall apart after they are free from the compressive band, leaving the tourniquet available for immediate use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tourniquet carrier comprising:
 a case configured to hold a tourniquet comprising a base portion, a lid portion and   at least one aperture in the case,   a band configured to receive the case,
 wherein the base portion is removably attached to the lid portion, 
 wherein the band is operable to hold the base portion and lid portion together, 
   
     
     
         2 . The tourniquet carrier of  claim 1  further comprising a mounting plate attached to the band. 
     
     
         3 . The tourniquet carrier of  claim 1  wherein the base portion comprises at least one tab and the lid portion comprises at least one groove, wherein the tab interlocks the groove. 
     
     
         4 . The tourniquet carrier of  claim 1  wherein the base portion comprises at least one groove and the lid portion comprises at least one tab, wherein the tab interlocks the groove. 
     
     
         5 . The tourniquet carrier of  claim 1  wherein either the base portion or the lid portion comprise a recessed interior cavity configured to conform to the shape of the tourniquet. 
     
     
         6 . The tourniquet carrier of  claim 1  comprising a tourniquet with a rip cord attached thereto,
 wherein a portion of the rip cord extends through at least one aperture 
 opening and is accessible from an exterior of the case. 
 
     
     
         7 . The tourniquet carrier of  claim 2  further comprising a strap connected to the mounting plate. 
     
     
         8 . The tourniquet carrier of  claim 7  further comprising a first fastener connected to a distal end of the strap and a second fastener connected to the mounting plate. 
     
     
         9 . The tourniquet carrier of  claim 8  wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise a snap fastener.