When would a tourniquet be indicated?

A tourniquet is a device used to control severe bleeding by constricting blood flow to a limb. It is indicated specifically in situations where there is severe, uncontrolled bleeding from a limb, such as in traumatic injuries or cases of amputation. The timely application of a tourniquet can be life-saving, as it can prevent a patient from losing too much blood, especially in emergencies where direct pressure or other methods of controlling bleeding are ineffective.

In cases of minor cuts and scrapes, a tourniquet is unnecessary and could cause more harm than good, as these types of wounds can typically be managed with basic first aid measures like cleaning and covering the wound. Similarly, for sprained ankles and situations where a person has fainted, neither condition involves severe hemorrhaging that warrants the use of a tourniquet. In those scenarios, other treatment methods focused on stabilization and monitoring are more appropriate.