What is the recommended action after applying a tourniquet?

• A. Note the Time Applied and Do Not Remove Unless Instructed by Medical Personnel
• B. Remove After 5 Minutes
• C. Apply a Second Tourniquet Immediately
• D. Reposition the Tourniquet After 10 Minutes

Answer: (A)

The key idea is to manage a tourniquet with a clear record and to keep it in place until a clinician tells you to remove it. Recording the time of application is essential because it tells rescuers and medical staff how long the limb has been without normal blood flow, which influences decisions about transport urgency and potential tissue damage. Removing the tourniquet too soon can allow dangerous bleeding to resume and worsen the patient’s condition, while keeping the tourniquet on and communicating the time helps ensure the patient gets definitive care promptly.

Other options don’t align with proper practice: removing after a short period defeats the purpose of controlling life-threatening bleeding; placing a second tourniquet immediately can cause additional harm without improving control if the first is effective; repositioning a tourniquet after a set time disrupts bleeding control and delays care.