In prehospital settings, novices using operator gestalt achieved a 69% success rate in correctly filling donor blood bags, significantly surpassing the beaded cable tie (37%) and paracord (52%). For experts, the paracord reached an 80% success rate; however, operator gestalt (70%) was not statistically different. Both groups preferred operator gestalt, while the beaded cable tie performed the worst across all measures. The study underlines the pressing need for improved methods to ensure accurate blood bag fills in austere environments.
Journal Article by Carlton DM, Jordan CS (…) Auten JD et 7 al. in J Spec Oper Med
2025.