How long should you apply a tourniquet before reassessment?

A tourniquet is a crucial tool used in emergency situations to control severe bleeding, particularly from an extremity. The correct choice emphasizes the importance of maintaining the tourniquet until medical professionals capable of advanced care can take over.

In practice, this means that once a tourniquet is applied, it should not be removed or loosened until a trained healthcare provider can evaluate the situation and handle the bleeding appropriately. This approach minimizes the risk of re-opening wounds or inadvertently causing significant blood loss, which can lead to shock or even death in the absence of proper medical intervention.

There may be a misconception around when to reassess or loosen a tourniquet, but the critical point is to ensure that the patient remains stable and that the bleeding is controlled throughout their transport to definitive medical care. In sudden, potentially life-threatening situations, it’s sometimes necessary to leave the tourniquet in place for prolonged periods, as the primary goal is to stop the bleeding and safeguard the patient's life until more advanced treatment is available.