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Mneurosci t1_j9ewq3c wrote

Reply to comment by davtruss in when a limb gets amputated, how do they stop the flow of blood? by EnchantedCatto

If direct pressure is working, continue that. If it is still bleeding, then Tourniquet.

Also, for reference, any arm injury below the elbow should be able to be controlled with direct pressure.

  • source general surgery resident
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RuhrowSpaghettio t1_j9gznco wrote

Controlled, sure, but at some point you’ve got to be able to take your hands off and MOVE the person. Tourniquets are great for that, as are some pressure bandages but making a good one of those is a more advanced skill for the lay person

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_mizzar t1_j9ivhbc wrote

Isn’t a tourniquet more likely to cause a need for amputation? Maybe the idea is to avoid that if pressure is working?

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RuhrowSpaghettio t1_j9ivstu wrote

That’s the…presumed risk of tourniquets, but again, the data just isn’t there to show that much of a risk.

If you are just sitting there waiting for EMS, by all means continue holding pressure.

But if you need your hands for something else (like calling EMS) or you need to move, or you have multiple people you’re trying to help, or any other reason why sitting there with your hands ON the wound applying pressure isn’t sustainable…sure, apply the tourniquet.

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