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Three Techniques to Apply a Tourniquet

Knowing first aid is a crucial life skill that can help save lives and prevent serious injuries. A tourniquet helps stop blood flow temporarily, until proper medical care is provided. There are three techniques for administering a tourniquet -- and they are the make-shift technique, the surgical and the emergency technique.

  1. Tourniquet Definition

    • The tourniquet acts to stop blood flow for a short period of time, so that the injured person does not endure massive blood loss. The tourniquet is administered by applying pressure to the region and then wrapping it.

    Make-Shift Technique

    • The make-shift tourniquet is administered to small traumas. Hand traumas, wrist traumas, and foot and ankle traumas can be treated using this technique. Blood flow is stopped by securing the areas near the injured area tightly with string or tape. The injured area is then cleaned and a bandage is applied on top.

    Surgical Technique

    • The surgical technique in applying a tourniquet is usually carried out when the person is experiencing massive blood loss. The technique involves stopping blood flow to the injured area by tying surgical elastic near one end of the injury and another elastic at the other end. The injured areas are then washed-off. Bandages are then applied to the injured area and then it is covered with a protective sleeve. This keeps the wound protected and stabilizes the area, until surgery can be performed. The surgical tourniquet is applied during pre-surgery to stabilize and disinfect the area before operation. This technique is also applied to injured areas when they are injected with medical chemicals.

    Emergency Technique

    • Often considered the last resort, this technique is applied by wrapping the injured area with gauze or fabric -- or anything available -- until the bleeding stops. After that, a stick or a long rod-like object is placed at the side of the injured area and wrapped in place with additional gauze. This will provide stability to the area. The emergency technique is beneficial, in that it stops the blood flow, however it does have serious health consequences. This technical will completely stop the blood flow to the injured area, and any body part below the injured area will not receive an adequate blood supply -- and as a result, it might run the risk of needing to be amputated.

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