A tourniquet is a medical device used to apply extreme pressure to a limb, effectively stopping severe bleeding by compressing blood vessels. It is a critical tool in emergency trauma care, particularly in situations like accidents, gunshot wounds, or amputations where rapid blood loss can be life-threatening.
When to Use a Tourniquet:
- Uncontrolled bleeding from an arm or leg that doesn't stop with direct pressure.
- Amputations or severe trauma (e.g., crush injuries, gunshot wounds).
- Situations where the patient is at risk of bleeding to death within minutes.