Apply an approved tourniquet, keep it visible, and communicate the placement time.
OCEMS source summary · Updated 2026-09-16
Key cautions & base contact
The device must remain visible during transport and handoff.
Placement requires an ALS-level response under B-010.
When to use it
B-010 indicates a tourniquet for upper- or lower-extremity hemorrhage that cannot be controlled with direct pressure or a pressure dressing.
Use appropriate blood-exposure PPE and an approved device. Inspect the injury and assess distal circulation, motor function, and sensation.
Place & tighten
Apply proximal to the wound, usually 2–4 inches above it under this source. Avoid placing over a joint, angulated/open fracture, or the stab/gunshot wound itself.
Tighten to the pressure needed to stop bleeding. Cover the wound with an appropriate sterile dressing or bandage.
Leave the tourniquet visible; do not cover it with the wound dressing.
Reassess
Reassess distal circulation, motor function, and sensation and the effectiveness of bleeding control. Record vital signs and the application time.
An ALS response is required when a tourniquet is placed. Continue the applicable trauma assessment and destination pathway.
Handoff
Tell the receiving team where the device is and exactly when it was applied; make that information visible in the report and documentation.
Use the amputation standing order for care of an amputated part. This page describes the B-010 tourniquet procedure, not every trauma-management task.