How Tight Should a Tourniquet Be?
A tourniquet is a medical device that can save the life of someone bleeding from a traumatic injury. The goal of a tourniquet is to reduce the flow of blood from the extremity and to prevent localised damage to nerve tissues. Tourniquets are also useful when IV catheters are inserted into the extremity. If you are experiencing uncontrolled bleeding, you should call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. While applying a tourniquet, you should keep in mind certain guidelines to avoid complications.
Make sure you do not apply too much pressure. This could cause blood to come out of the wound, and it could also be uncomfortable for the victim. In addition, you should not remove the tourniquet yourself. You should only do this if you are in the hospital or are under the supervision of a doctor.
Place the tourniquet about two to three inches above the wound. It is important that the tourniquet is tight enough to stop the bleeding. However, you do not want to obstruct arterial blood flow. When a tourniquet is too tight, it can cause bruises on the patient’s arm. Depending on the size of the wound and the location of the hemorrhage, the duration of a tourniquet might vary.
Be sure to use a proper antiseptic. Some good options include hydrogen peroxide and natural honey. Ideally, you should also apply some sterile saline to the area.
The tourniquet should be at least one inch wide. This may seem like a trivial detail, but the proper width can make a big difference when you are trying to prevent damage to underlying structures. To make the most out of a tourniquet, you should also ensure that the material is flexible enough to distribute the pressure across the limb. This will help the person to tolerate the tourniquet and reduce the chances of nerve injury.
Before applying a tourniquet, you should find out why it is being applied. Many people assume that a tourniquet will occlude the artery. That is not always the case. An obstruction to the venous outflow will increase the chance of compartment syndrome in the extremity, which can result in muscle and nerve damage.
Depending on the wound, you might need multiple tourniquets to completely control the bleeding. A large number of tourniquets can lead to blood clot formation. These clots will need to be removed by a doctor in the hospital. Also, a tourniquet that is too tight can be uncomfortable, and the patient may not be able to resist removing it.
The tourniquet can be tied into place by using a rubber band. There are also mouth/tection devices that can be used to secure a tourniquet to an arm. Other options include a stick or pen. For below-joint wounds, a tourniquet should be tied with a half-knot. It should also be padded under the wound to prevent irritation.
You can even make your own tourniquet. Using materials that you have on hand, such as a cravat, you can create a simple and easy-to-tie tourniquet. Just be sure that you follow the instructions for application and you should be able to stop the bleeding.
