A tourniquet is a tight band applied to a limb (an arm or leg) to completely stop the flow of blood. By compressing the blood vessels against the bone, it prevents a person from bleeding to death from a severe injury.
When Should You Use One?
Tourniquets are strictly meant for life-threatening bleeding on limbs. You should use a tourniquet if:
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- Bleeding is severe: Blood is spurting, pooling on the ground, or soaking rapidly through clothes.
- Direct pressure fails: Firmly pressing on the wound with cloth or gauze is not stopping the flow.
- An amputation has occurred: The limb is partially or completely severed.
- The environment is unsafe: You need to stop the bleeding instantly to move the person to safety.
Note: Never apply a tourniquet to the neck, chest, torso, or abdomen.
How to Apply a Tourniquet (Step-by-Step)
If you encounter a severe bleeding situation, remember the phrase “High and Tight.”
- Call for Help: Dial emergency services immediately.
- Position the Device: Place the tourniquet high on the injured limb, about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) above the wound. Do not place it directly over a joint (like the elbow or knee); if the wound is just below a joint, move the tourniquet above it.
- Pull the Strap: Thread the strap through the buckle and pull it as tight as possible. Secure the Velcro.
- Twist the Windlass: Turn the rigid rod (the windlass) until the bleeding completely stops.
- Lock it in Place: Clip the windlass into the holder to keep it tight.
- Note the Time: Write down the exact time you applied the tourniquet on the device’s time tag or the patient’s forehead. Emergency doctors need this information.
While improvised tourniquets (like a belt or a shirt tied with a stick) can work in a pinch, commercial tourniquets like the CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet) are far more reliable. Consider adding one to your car, home, or hiking first aid kit. Taking a local “Stop the Bleed” course is also a great way to practice these skills hands-on.

