STEPS AND PROCEDURES:

1. Stay Safe. If you are not the victim,

practiceuniversal precautions and wear personal
protective equipment if available.
2. Before using a tourniquet, try using less
damaging steps to control bleeding. If the scene is
unsafe, and there is no time to attempt other
steps, tourniquets can be used to control active
bleeding.
3. Use a non-stretchy material, such as terry cloth or
a cravat, and fold it lengthwise until it's between
1 and 2 inches wide.
4. Tie the tourniquet around the injured arm or leg, several
inches above the injury. If the injury is below the elbow or
knee, you may need to tie the tourniquet above the joint.
Use a common square knot.
5. Place a stick or other item strong enough to act as a
windlass on the knot and tie the loose ends of the
tourniquet around it in another square knot.
6. Anything can be used as a windlass, as long as it is strong
enough to hold the tourniquet and can be secured in place.
Consider using pens or pencils, sticks, spoons, or even a
piece of pipe like that in the photo.
7. Twist the windlass to increase the pressure until the
bleeding stops.
8. Secure the windlass by tying one or both ends to the
victim's arm or leg.
Tips:
•If possible, mark the time the tourniquet
was placed by putting a "T" on the victim's
forehead with the time/day.
•For more information on when to properly
use tourniquets, read Understanding
Tourniquets.
•Exam gloves
•Enough material to wrap around the limb
twice
•Stick or other item for a windlass