In sport field first aid, when is a tourniquet indicated?

• A. For any bleeding on the skin.
• B. For life-threatening arterial bleeding when direct pressure cannot control hemorrhage.
• C. Never apply a tourniquet.
• D. Only for venous bleeding.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that a tourniquet is used only for life-threatening arterial bleeding when direct pressure cannot stop the hemorrhage. In sport field first aid, arterial bleeding can gush and threaten life, so if applying firm direct pressure fails to control it, a tourniquet is the next step to rapidly stop blood flow to the injured limb and buy time for advanced care. It’s placed high on the limb and tightened until bleeding ceases, then kept secure and time noted so medical personnel know when it was applied. This approach is what makes the correct choice best: it targets the situation where a tourniquet truly saves a life by controlling severe arterial bleeding.

For smaller, superficial, or skin-only bleeding, a tourniquet isn’t needed and could cause unnecessary harm. It isn’t appropriate to use a tourniquet for venous bleeding alone, and there are circumstances where bleeding can be managed with direct pressure without a tourniquet.