Page 110 - Participant Manual

Applying a Tourniquet

A tourniquet is a device placed around an arm or leg to constrict
blood vessels and stop blood flow to a wound. In some life-threatening
circumstances, you may need to use a tourniquet to control bleeding
as the first step instead of maintaining direct pressure over several
minutes. Examples of situations where it may be necessary to use a
tourniquet include:

■ Severe, life-threatening bleeding that cannot be controlled using
direct pressure.

■ A physical location that makes it impossible to apply direct
pressure to control the bleeding (e.g., the injured person or the
person’s limb is trapped in a confined space).

■ Multiple people with life-threatening injuries who need care.
■ A scene that is or becomes unsafe. THE PROS KNOW.
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If you find yourself in a situation where you need to apply a tourniquet,
a commercially manufactured tourniquet is preferred over a makeshift Tourniquets can be extremely
device. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying the painful. If you must apply a
tourniquet. Although tourniquets may have slightly different designs, tourniquet, make sure the person
all are applied in generally the same way. First, place the tourniquet understands the reason for the
around the wounded extremity about 2 inches above the wound, tourniquet, and warn the person
avoiding the joint if possible. Secure the tourniquet tightly in place that it may be painful.
according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Twist the rod (windlass)
to tighten the tourniquet until the bright red bleeding stops, then secure the rod in place. Note and record
the time that you applied the tourniquet and be sure to give EMS personnel this information when they
arrive. Once the tourniquet is applied, it should not be removed until the person reaches a healthcare
facility. Skill Sheet 6-2 describes step by step how to apply a commercially manufactured tourniquet.

If it is necessary to use a tourniquet and a commercially manufactured tourniquet is not available, make a
tourniquet using a strip of soft material that is 2 to 4 inches wide (such as a triangular bandage that has
been folded into a tie) and a short, sturdy stick or other rigid object. Tie the stick or other rigid object into the
material and twist it to tighten the makeshift tourniquet.

Using Hemostatic Dressings

A hemostatic dressing is a dressing treated with a substance that speeds clot formation. As is the
case with tourniquets, hemostatic dressings are used when severe life-threatening bleeding exists and
standard first aid procedures fail or are not practical. Typically, hemostatic dressings are used on parts of
the body where a tourniquet cannot be applied, such as the neck or torso. A hemostatic dressing can
also be used to control bleeding from an open wound on an arm or a leg if a tourniquet is ineffective.
The hemostatic dressing is applied at the site of the bleeding (possibly inside of the wound) and is used
along with direct pressure.

Open Wounds with Embedded Objects © 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.

In some cases, the object that caused the wound may remain in the wound. If the embedded object is large
(for example, a large piece of glass or metal), do not attempt to remove it. Instead, place several dressings
around the object to begin to control blood loss, and then pack bulk dressings or roller bandages around the
embedded object to keep it from moving. Bandage the bulk dressings or roller bandages in place around the

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