A tourniquet should be used only as a last resort. True or False?

The statement that a tourniquet should be used only as a last resort is true. This is because tourniquets can have potentially serious consequences if applied improperly or used unnecessarily. They are designed to control severe bleeding when direct pressure and other methods have failed. In situations where a limb has sustained severe injury and is bleeding profusely, a tourniquet can be life-saving. However, the goal is to use less invasive methods first, such as applying direct pressure, before resorting to a tourniquet. Misuse or premature application could lead to complications such as tissue damage or loss of the limb. Therefore, understanding that a tourniquet is a critical tool meant for the most desperate of circumstances underscores its appropriate use in emergency care.