Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen to UseCommercial TourniquetsImprovised TourniquetsHow to ApplyIf Bleeding Won’t StopCommon Mistakes
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When to Use
Commercial Tourniquets
Improvised Tourniquets
How to Apply
If Bleeding Won’t Stop
Common Mistakes
A tourniquet is a device, typically made from nylon, rubber, or cloth, that can be wrapped tightly around an arm or leg to control bleeding. It may be used to stop blood flow from a severe wound like a gunshot, stabbing, or heavy machinery accident. Healthcare providers also use them when drawing blood.
Basic First Aid Everyone Should Know
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When to Use a Tourniquet
Because tourniquets can be dangerous when misapplied, they should be used only when all other options to stop bleeding have failed. This includes elevating the limb above the heart and applying direct pressure to the wound for 15 minutes to allow a clot to form. If these efforts don’t work, a tourniquet may be the only option.
A tourniquet should not be used as analternativeto other ways to stop bleeding, but rather as thelast resortwhen the bleeding is uncontrollable and the risk of death is high.
The goal of a tourniquet is to restrict blood flow to the injured limb and prevent life-threatening blood loss. It is only intended as a stop-gap measure to buy time while you wait for emergency help to arrive.
There is concern that tourniquet use may cause permanent damage to the limb and lead to amputation, but research has found that tourniquets left in place for as long as two hours don’t seem to increase this risk.The greater concern is that tourniquet misuse may fail to adequately stop the flow of blood.
9 First Aid Types You’ll Actually Use
The origins of the tourniquetTourniquets date to at least the 6th century B.C., when they were used to treat venomous snake bites. They were first used to control bleeding in the late Middle Ages.
The origins of the tourniquet
Tourniquets date to at least the 6th century B.C., when they were used to treat venomous snake bites. They were first used to control bleeding in the late Middle Ages.
Emergency medical professionals use commercial medical tourniquets to stop the bleeding. As a rule, commercial tourniquets are not available inhome first aid kitsdue to the high potential for misuse. Even so, you can purchase commercial tourniquets, including traditional windlass-style tourniquets and ratchet-style tourniquets.
Types of TourniquetsThere are two different types of commercial tourniquets:Pneumatic tourniquetshave an inflatable cuff. They use pressurized air to restrict blood flow.Non-pneumatic tourniquetsdo not have an inflatable cuff and are smaller and more lightweight than pneumatic tourniquets.
Types of Tourniquets
There are two different types of commercial tourniquets:Pneumatic tourniquetshave an inflatable cuff. They use pressurized air to restrict blood flow.Non-pneumatic tourniquetsdo not have an inflatable cuff and are smaller and more lightweight than pneumatic tourniquets.
There are two different types of commercial tourniquets:
A makeshift tourniquet is simple and comprised of two parts:
Research has shown that improvised tourniquets may fail up to 80% of the time.While this may not sound reassuring, in a life-or-death situation, the odds may be enough to outweigh the risks of inaction.
What Not to UseBelts are not ideal for tourniquets as they are too rigid to be twisted tightly. Synthetic or silk scarves or ties are too slippery and can easily come undone. Zip ties and cords are also not ideal as they can cause severe blood vessel and nerve damage.Pencils and pens are not ideal for windlasses as they can easily break as you twist them.
What Not to Use
Belts are not ideal for tourniquets as they are too rigid to be twisted tightly. Synthetic or silk scarves or ties are too slippery and can easily come undone. Zip ties and cords are also not ideal as they can cause severe blood vessel and nerve damage.Pencils and pens are not ideal for windlasses as they can easily break as you twist them.
Belts are not ideal for tourniquets as they are too rigid to be twisted tightly. Synthetic or silk scarves or ties are too slippery and can easily come undone. Zip ties and cords are also not ideal as they can cause severe blood vessel and nerve damage.
Pencils and pens are not ideal for windlasses as they can easily break as you twist them.
How to Use a Tourniquet Correctly
The first step in any emergency situation is to call 911. If someone else is with you, have them call 911 while you take immediate action. If possible, practiceuniversal precautionsto limit your exposure to blood. Ifpersonal protective equipmentis available (like gloves and masks), put them on before deliveringfirst aid.
1:38Click Play to Learn the Right Way to Apply a Tourniquet
1:38
Click Play to Learn the Right Way to Apply a Tourniquet
Do Not Remove a Tourniquet
What to Do if the Bleeding Doesn’t Stop
If a tourniquet is applied but the bleeding doesn’t stop, try twisting the tourniquet more and see if that helps. If it doesn’t, you can apply a second tourniquet immediatelybelowthe first one.
Even if the first tourniquet has failed,do notremove it. Instead, place the second tourniquet, following steps 3 to 6, until the bleeding stops.
What Should You Not Do With a Tourniquet
Even someone who knows how to use a tourniquet can make mistakes. By knowing what these mistakes are, you may be able to avoid them yourself.
Common mistakes include:
When Not to Use a TourniquetTourniquets are intended for limb injuries only andcannotbe used for head or torso injuries. An injury to the head or torso requiresdirect pressurewith a cloth to help slow or stop bleeding until emergency help arrives.
When Not to Use a Tourniquet
Tourniquets are intended for limb injuries only andcannotbe used for head or torso injuries. An injury to the head or torso requiresdirect pressurewith a cloth to help slow or stop bleeding until emergency help arrives.
Summary
In an emergency, knowing how to use a tourniquet can save an injured person’s limb—or even their life. While it’s best for a trained medical professional to apply a tourniquet, anyone can do so if they have the right materials and knowledge.
The best way to avoid mistakes when using a tourniquet is to be informed about when and how to use one correctly.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kumar K, Railton C, Tawfic Q.Tourniquet application during anesthesia: “What we need to know?".J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2016;32(4):424-430. doi:10.4103/0970-9185.168174First Aid For Life.The truth about tourniquets.Henry R, Matsushima K, Ghafil C, et al.Increased use of prehospital tourniquet and patient survival: Los Angeles countywide study.J Am Coll Surg. 2021;233(2):233-239.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2021.03.023Johnston LR, Parker WJ, Walker P, Bradley MJ.Tourniquets.Curr Trauma Rep. 2024:1-6. doi:10.1007/s40719-024-00272-0Wall PL, Sahr SM, Buising CM.Different width and tightening system: emergency tourniquets on distal limb segments.J Spec Oper Med. 2015;15(4):28. doi:10.55460/0TO3-FCS5Galante JM,Using tourniquets to stop bleeding.JAMA.2017;317(14):1490. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.8581Tsur AM, Binyamin Y, Koren L, Ohayon S, Thompson P, Glassberg E.High tourniquet failure rates among non-medical personnel do not improve with tourniquet training, including combat stress inoculation: a randomized controlled trial.Prehosp Disaster med. 2019;34(03):282-287. doi:10.1017/S1049023X19004266Holcomb JB, Dorlac WC, Drew BG, et al.Rethinking limb tourniquet conversion in the prehospital environment.J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023;95(6):e54-e60. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000004134Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute. University of Utah.The crucial difference between hypovolemic and hemorrhagic shock.Wall PL, Buising CM, Hingtgen E, Smith H, Renner CH.Clothing effects on limb tourniquet application.J Spec Oper Med. 2020;20(2):83. doi:10.55460/2CXR-1UVJAmerican Red Cross.Tourniquet.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kumar K, Railton C, Tawfic Q.Tourniquet application during anesthesia: “What we need to know?".J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2016;32(4):424-430. doi:10.4103/0970-9185.168174First Aid For Life.The truth about tourniquets.Henry R, Matsushima K, Ghafil C, et al.Increased use of prehospital tourniquet and patient survival: Los Angeles countywide study.J Am Coll Surg. 2021;233(2):233-239.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2021.03.023Johnston LR, Parker WJ, Walker P, Bradley MJ.Tourniquets.Curr Trauma Rep. 2024:1-6. doi:10.1007/s40719-024-00272-0Wall PL, Sahr SM, Buising CM.Different width and tightening system: emergency tourniquets on distal limb segments.J Spec Oper Med. 2015;15(4):28. doi:10.55460/0TO3-FCS5Galante JM,Using tourniquets to stop bleeding.JAMA.2017;317(14):1490. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.8581Tsur AM, Binyamin Y, Koren L, Ohayon S, Thompson P, Glassberg E.High tourniquet failure rates among non-medical personnel do not improve with tourniquet training, including combat stress inoculation: a randomized controlled trial.Prehosp Disaster med. 2019;34(03):282-287. doi:10.1017/S1049023X19004266Holcomb JB, Dorlac WC, Drew BG, et al.Rethinking limb tourniquet conversion in the prehospital environment.J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023;95(6):e54-e60. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000004134Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute. University of Utah.The crucial difference between hypovolemic and hemorrhagic shock.Wall PL, Buising CM, Hingtgen E, Smith H, Renner CH.Clothing effects on limb tourniquet application.J Spec Oper Med. 2020;20(2):83. doi:10.55460/2CXR-1UVJAmerican Red Cross.Tourniquet.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kumar K, Railton C, Tawfic Q.Tourniquet application during anesthesia: “What we need to know?".J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2016;32(4):424-430. doi:10.4103/0970-9185.168174First Aid For Life.The truth about tourniquets.Henry R, Matsushima K, Ghafil C, et al.Increased use of prehospital tourniquet and patient survival: Los Angeles countywide study.J Am Coll Surg. 2021;233(2):233-239.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2021.03.023Johnston LR, Parker WJ, Walker P, Bradley MJ.Tourniquets.Curr Trauma Rep. 2024:1-6. doi:10.1007/s40719-024-00272-0Wall PL, Sahr SM, Buising CM.Different width and tightening system: emergency tourniquets on distal limb segments.J Spec Oper Med. 2015;15(4):28. doi:10.55460/0TO3-FCS5Galante JM,Using tourniquets to stop bleeding.JAMA.2017;317(14):1490. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.8581Tsur AM, Binyamin Y, Koren L, Ohayon S, Thompson P, Glassberg E.High tourniquet failure rates among non-medical personnel do not improve with tourniquet training, including combat stress inoculation: a randomized controlled trial.Prehosp Disaster med. 2019;34(03):282-287. doi:10.1017/S1049023X19004266Holcomb JB, Dorlac WC, Drew BG, et al.Rethinking limb tourniquet conversion in the prehospital environment.J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023;95(6):e54-e60. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000004134Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute. University of Utah.The crucial difference between hypovolemic and hemorrhagic shock.Wall PL, Buising CM, Hingtgen E, Smith H, Renner CH.Clothing effects on limb tourniquet application.J Spec Oper Med. 2020;20(2):83. doi:10.55460/2CXR-1UVJAmerican Red Cross.Tourniquet.
Kumar K, Railton C, Tawfic Q.Tourniquet application during anesthesia: “What we need to know?".J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2016;32(4):424-430. doi:10.4103/0970-9185.168174
First Aid For Life.The truth about tourniquets.
Henry R, Matsushima K, Ghafil C, et al.Increased use of prehospital tourniquet and patient survival: Los Angeles countywide study.J Am Coll Surg. 2021;233(2):233-239.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2021.03.023
Johnston LR, Parker WJ, Walker P, Bradley MJ.Tourniquets.Curr Trauma Rep. 2024:1-6. doi:10.1007/s40719-024-00272-0
Wall PL, Sahr SM, Buising CM.Different width and tightening system: emergency tourniquets on distal limb segments.J Spec Oper Med. 2015;15(4):28. doi:10.55460/0TO3-FCS5
Galante JM,Using tourniquets to stop bleeding.JAMA.2017;317(14):1490. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.8581
Tsur AM, Binyamin Y, Koren L, Ohayon S, Thompson P, Glassberg E.High tourniquet failure rates among non-medical personnel do not improve with tourniquet training, including combat stress inoculation: a randomized controlled trial.Prehosp Disaster med. 2019;34(03):282-287. doi:10.1017/S1049023X19004266
Holcomb JB, Dorlac WC, Drew BG, et al.Rethinking limb tourniquet conversion in the prehospital environment.J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023;95(6):e54-e60. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000004134
Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute. University of Utah.The crucial difference between hypovolemic and hemorrhagic shock.
Wall PL, Buising CM, Hingtgen E, Smith H, Renner CH.Clothing effects on limb tourniquet application.J Spec Oper Med. 2020;20(2):83. doi:10.55460/2CXR-1UVJ
American Red Cross.Tourniquet.
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