A system (10) for deploying and selectively inflating a thoracic aortic balloon at a desired location within the thoracic aorta for resuscitative aortic occlusion, inferior to the left subclavian artery, without the aid of fluoroscopy is described. Once the desired insertion length is established, a marked or calibrated self-centering, J-tipped (20) wire (12) is inserted through a transfemoral percutaneous sheath (28) to the determined distance. A similarly marked shaft (32) containing the occlusion balloon (14) is positioned over the wire at this same desired or predetermined location prior to inflation and occlusion of the aorta. Both the endovascular wire and balloon occlusion shaft are provided with major (5 cm) and minor (1cm) calibrated markers (34) to assure correct distance of insertion. The balloon is then inflated using a pressure-regulated technique.
