A tourniquet is a medical device designed to apply pressure to a limb, stopping severe, life-threatening bleeding. Its purpose is to create ischemia, a lack of blood supply, in the affected area, preventing further blood loss. Understanding how and when to use a tourniquet can be a life-saving skill for the general public in emergencies. It serves as a last-resort intervention when other methods, like direct pressure, prove insufficient to control hemorrhage.
Identifying Life-Threatening Bleeding
Recognizing life-threatening bleeding is the first step. Bleeding is considered life-threatening when it is profuse and cannot be controlled by direct pressure. This includes blood spurting or gushing from a wound, or when blood rapidly pools on the ground.
Other indicators include a wound dressing soaked with blood, or bleeding that persists despite sustained direct pressure. Traumatic amputation of a limb, or multiple bleeding sites that make applying direct pressure impractical, also signify a need for immediate bleeding control. A person experiencing significant blood loss may also show signs of shock, such as pale, cool, and moist skin, a rapid or weak pulse, rapid breathing, restlessness, or a decreased level of consciousness. In such cases, controlling the bleeding becomes the immediate priority to prevent further deterioration of the individual’s condition.
Correct Application Steps
Applying a tourniquet correctly is essential for stopping life-threatening bleeding. Place the device directly on the skin, if possible, or over flattened clothing, approximately 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 centimeters) above the wound, between the injury and the heart. Avoid placing the tourniquet directly over a joint, such as an elbow or knee, as this can hinder its effectiveness and potentially cause further injury.
After positioning, pull the strap tightly around the limb. If using a windlass-style tourniquet, twist the rod until the bleeding stops. The tourniquet must be tightened sufficiently to completely stop blood flow, which will be painful for the injured individual, but this discomfort is necessary to prevent further blood loss. Once bleeding has ceased, secure the windlass rod in its clip or by tying it in place to prevent unwinding.
Important Considerations After Application
Once a tourniquet is applied, seek immediate professional medical assistance by calling emergency services. Do not remove or loosen the tourniquet, as this can lead to a dangerous return of blood flow to the injured area and further damage. Only trained medical professionals should remove it.
Continue to monitor the injured person and the wound until emergency responders arrive. Relay information to the medical team, including the exact time the tourniquet was applied. Writing the time of application on the tourniquet or the person’s forehead is helpful for emergency staff. While concerns exist about potential limb damage from extended tourniquet use, saving a life takes precedence. Tourniquets can remain in place for up to two hours with minimal risk of permanent damage, and do not typically result in limb loss.