Where would you apply a tourniquet?

Where would you apply a tourniquet?

• A. 2 to 3 inches above the wound; never over a joint
• B. Directly over the wound
• C. Below the wound
• D. On a finger or toe

Answer: (A)

When you need to control life-threatening bleeding with a tourniquet, place it on the limb above the wound so that the entire injured area is supplied by a compressed segment of tissue. The target distance is about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) proximal to the wound. This location lets the tourniquet tighten around sturdy tissue and prevents slipping, providing reliable arterial occlusion to stop the bleeding. Avoid putting the tourniquet directly over the wound because that area may be irregular or unlikely to compress evenly, and you want a solid, supported section of tissue to achieve effective occlusion. Placing it below the wound wouldn’t stop the blood flow to the injured area, so it won’t control the hemorrhage. A tourniquet on a finger or toe is not appropriate in most bleeding emergencies because digits are too small to achieve reliable occlusion; use a proximal site on a larger limb if possible.

When you need to control life-threatening bleeding with a tourniquet, place it on the limb above the wound so that the entire injured area is supplied by a compressed segment of tissue. The target distance is about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) proximal to the wound. This location lets the tourniquet tighten around sturdy tissue and prevents slipping, providing reliable arterial occlusion to stop the bleeding.

Avoid putting the tourniquet directly over the wound because that area may be irregular or unlikely to compress evenly, and you want a solid, supported section of tissue to achieve effective occlusion. Placing it below the wound wouldn’t stop the blood flow to the injured area, so it won’t control the hemorrhage. A tourniquet on a finger or toe is not appropriate in most bleeding emergencies because digits are too small to achieve reliable occlusion; use a proximal site on a larger limb if possible.