After how many hours should a tourniquet be replaced with a pressure dressing?

The recommended timeframe for replacing a tourniquet with a pressure dressing is generally around 4 hours after its application. This is based on medical guidelines which recognize that prolonged application of a tourniquet can lead to complications, such as tissue ischemia or necrosis, particularly if it remains in place for an extended period. After 4 hours, tissues may be more amenable to restoration of blood flow without the tourniquet, and transitioning to a pressure dressing allows for the re-establishment of circulation while maintaining adequate control of any bleeding. This practice helps balance the need for hemorrhage control with the prevention of potential tissue damage from prolonged constriction. Therefore, the 4-hour mark serves as a critical period for intervention.