How to apply a tourniquet?

Life-threatening bleeding is ceased by using a tourniquet and compressing the arterial blood circulation i.e. those blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the extremities. The proper application of tourniquet includes tightening it at a distance of a palm (5-7 cm) above the bleeding wound. In cases when bleeding site is not visible, it should be placed as high as possible (at the armit or groin). he higher the tourniquet is placed, the higher along the arterial blood flow is stopped, the more the tissue of the extremity is deprived of oxygen and nutrients. It leads to increased pain, more tissue breakdown products and higher risk of complications. In all cases when the site of injury is evident, the tourniquet should be placed at a distance of a palm (5-7 cm) above the bleeding wound. If the wound is not clearly visible, but the bleeding is massive (blood-soaked clothing, enlarging pool of blood, impaired consciousness), the tourniquet should be placed directly on the clothing and as high as possible (i.e. at the groin or armpit), and as tight as possible.