The device itself is a fairly simple, straight forward piece of equipment. It is made of flame resistant, waterproof nylon that is also radiolucent. Clothing should be removed before application and distal pulses are assessed before and after application. Each chamber is then separately inflated using a manual foot pump. The lower extremity compartments are inflated first and then, if indicated, the abdominal compartment is inflated to around 100 mmHg.
Stopcocks are then closed and the pressurized compartments are maintained.
The deflation process is gradual, starting with the abdominal compartment. Blood pressure is closely monitored and a drop of more than 5 mmHg is reason to pause and continue fluid resuscitation until the BP has responded. Mast should never be cut off. These include increased blood pressure from increased peripheral vascular resistance and auto transfusion of some blood from the venous to the central circulatory system. Bleeding is controlled by direct pressure on external hemorrhage sites and indirect pressure helps tamponade blood loss from internal vascular sites.