The tourniquet works if you place it right and commit to it.

Apply a tourniquet for life-threatening bleeding from an arm or leg that direct pressure hasn't stopped, an amputation, or spurting arterial bleeding. Place it 2–3 inches above the wound, never on a joint, tighten the windlass until bleeding stops completely, lock it in place, and write the time of application on the strap. Once applied, it stays on until trained medical personnel say otherwise.

Application, step by step

  1. Expose the limb. Cut or move clothing out of the way so you can see the wound and place the band on skin, not fabric.
  2. Position the tourniquet. 2–3 inches above the wound, never directly over a joint. If the exact wound site is unclear, go high and tight — as close to the torso as the limb allows.
  3. Route and secure the strap. Wrap it around the limb and pull it through the buckle, then press the free end onto the hook-and-loop to hold it snug before tightening.
  4. Twist the windlass. Turn it until the bleeding fully stops — not just slows. This will be more force than feels comfortable; that's expected.
  5. Lock the windlass. Secure it into its clip or holder so it can't unwind on its own.
  6. Secure the windlass strap over the locked windlass to hold everything in place during movement or transport.
  7. Write the time. Mark the application time on the tourniquet's time strap or directly on the casualty's forehead — "T" plus the time, e.g. T 14:22. This single detail matters enormously to whoever provides care next.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I place a tourniquet?

2 to 3 inches above the wound, never directly on a joint. If the exact wound location is unclear — under clothing, in poor light — place it high and tight, as close to the torso as possible on that limb.

Can I loosen a tourniquet once it's on?

No, not without direction from trained medical personnel. A properly applied tourniquet left in place under about two hours rarely causes permanent limb damage. The rule is: once it's on, it stays on until a higher level of care says otherwise.

What if the bleeding doesn't stop after applying a tourniquet?

Make sure the windlass is fully tightened and locked. If bleeding continues, apply a second tourniquet directly above (closer to the torso than) the first.

This reference is for use when professional medical care is delayed or unreachable. Train on a dedicated practice tourniquet before you ever need your emergency one — using your real tourniquet for practice wears out the fibers and weakens it for the moment that counts.

Work this into the full sequence: MARCH Trauma Assessment. Need the tool itself? See the vetted tourniquet pick in the Survival Gear Hub.

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