For which type of bleeding would you use a tourniquet?

A tourniquet is an emergency medical device used to control severe bleeding, particularly in situations where there is life-threatening hemorrhage, such as from traumatic injuries that cause significant blood loss. This is typically applied to a limb to effectively constrict blood flow and prevent further loss, allowing for more time to address the injury appropriately in a medical setting.

Using a tourniquet for life-threatening bleeding is critical, as it can be the difference between life and death, especially when immediate medical attention is not available. In contrast, for minor abrasions, internal bleeding, or less severe instances of bleeding, alternative methods of bleeding control, such as direct pressure or dressing, are generally more appropriate and effective. Thus, the use of a tourniquet is specifically reserved for those high-risk scenarios where rapid intervention is necessary to manage a significant blood loss.