Use of Tourniquets

WARNING! A tourniquet should be used only as a LAST RESORT. It is appropriate to use a tourniquet if a limb has already been severed, and the stump is actively bleeding, or if other measures used to control bleeding have failed and there is still copious blood flow (a gushing wound).

A person whose arm or leg has been completely amputated may not be bleeding when first discovered, but a tourniquet should be applied anyway. This absence of bleeding is due to the body's normal defenses (contraction of blood vessels) as a result of the amputation, but after a short time, bleeding will resume as the blood vessels relax.

Bleeding from a major artery of the thigh, lower leg, or arm and bleeding from multiple arteries (which occurs in a traumatic amputation) may prove to be beyond control by manual pressure. If the pressure dressing under firm hand pressure becomes soaked with blood and the wound continues to bleed, it is advisable to apply a tourniquet.

PRECAUTIONS FOR TOURNIQUET USE

• The tourniquet should not be used unless a pressure dressing has failed to stop the bleeding or an arm or leg has been cut off. Use only on amputated limbs, or under circumstances when the extent and rate of bleeding may be life threatening.
• Tourniquets can injure blood vessels and nerves. If left in place too long, a tourniquet can actually cause the loss of an arm or leg, rather than save it.
• Once applied, the tourniquet must not be removed, and the victim must be taken to the nearest medical treatment facility as expeditiously as possible.
• The tourniquet must be visible and easily identified.
  Mark the victim's forehead, with a "T" to indicate a tourniquet has been applied (Most emergency-trained medical personnel will recognize this indicator.) If necessary, use the victim's blood to make the "T" mark.