Using a tourniquet can mean the difference between life and death. It is important to apply a tourniquet to keep blood from flowing out of the body. An easy item to use as a tourniquet is a belt. For example, if there is a severe cut on the thigh, place the belt on the upper thigh between the cut and the heart. Pull the belt tight until the blood stops flowing out of the cut and seek medical help immediately. Keep in mind when trying to stop someone from bleeding to death, it is important to put the tourniquet between the heart and the injury. So, if the blood is coming from a cut to the lower arm, place the tourniquet above it on the upper portion of the arm. As a general rule, you won’t be applying a tourniquet for most injuries, but you should know how to use a tourniquet for those severe situations. I have heard of accidents where the only injury is a cut to an artery, but because the blood flow couldn’t be stopped, death resulted. Had someone been able to apply a tourniquet, the outcome may have been different. Take the time to learn how to use a tourniquet.
