COOL PRODUCTS: A TOURNIQUET CAN SAVE A LIFE

ORTTV Staff
6 days ago
2 min read

A tourniquet is a device designed to stop severe bleeding

A simple tourniquet can be a life saving device in an emergency

If you are ever faced with a life-threatening emergency with bleeding from a limb that cannot be controlled with direct pressure a tourniquet can be a life saver. We always carry several on every trip we take, even if it is just an afternoon ride. A tourniquet is a device designed to stop severe bleeding from an arm or leg by compressing blood vessels. It’s used in emergency situations when direct pressure alone isn’t enough, such as in major traumatic injuries or serious accidents. Do not use a tourniquet for: minor cuts, injuries to the torso, neck, or head, or for small bleeding that can be managed with pressure alone.

Use the following steps to safely apply a tourniquet.

Expose the injury – remove or move clothing so the tourniquet can go directly on the limb.
Place the tourniquet – 2–3 inches above the bleeding site, not over joints (like elbows or knees).
Tighten until bleeding stops – it should be painful and tight, but that’s normal. Bleeding must stop completely.
Secure the tourniquet – lock it in place so it doesn’t loosen.
Note the time applied – write it down or tell EMS; prolonged use can cause tissue damage.
Do not remove – only trained medical personnel should remove it once the patient reaches definitive care.