What is the recommended initial action to control life-threatening bleeding on a casualty’s limb?

What is the recommended initial action to control life-threatening bleeding on a casualty’s limb?

• A. Elevate limb only
• B. Apply direct pressure with a sterile dressing, and if bleeding continues, apply a tourniquet proximal to the wound
• C. Immediately apply a tourniquet
• D. Apply ice

Answer: (B)

Start with direct pressure using a clean, sterile dressing to the wound. The pressure helps squeeze the blood vessel, promote clotting, and rapidly reduce bleeding. If bleeding continues despite firm direct pressure, escalate to a tourniquet placed on the limb above the wound and tighten it until bleeding stops. Elevating the limb can help a little, but it won’t reliably control life-threatening bleeding on its own, and ice isn’t appropriate for stopping active hemorrhage. This sequence—pressure first, then a tourniquet if needed—provides the fastest, most effective control of severe limb bleeding.

Start with direct pressure using a clean, sterile dressing to the wound. The pressure helps squeeze the blood vessel, promote clotting, and rapidly reduce bleeding. If bleeding continues despite firm direct pressure, escalate to a tourniquet placed on the limb above the wound and tighten it until bleeding stops. Elevating the limb can help a little, but it won’t reliably control life-threatening bleeding on its own, and ice isn’t appropriate for stopping active hemorrhage. This sequence—pressure first, then a tourniquet if needed—provides the fastest, most effective control of severe limb bleeding.