a training tourniquet for use in training a user or another person , such as a medic , includes a non - functioning tensioning mechanism to model application of developing a tensile force in a strap of a tourniquet . the training tourniquet has particular application to training field personnel , such as medics and soldiers as to how to apply a tourniquet , without actually creating a compressive force that could damage a person &# 39 ; s tissue during the training or practice sessions . in one embodiment , an inoperative windlass can be rotated to simulate the action necessary to create tension in a strap of a real tourniquet , however , the inoperative windlass spins around without actually tightening a strap of the training tourniquet .