Remember: CoTCCC-recommended limb tourniquets should be used whenever possible.

Improvised tourniquets should only be used as a last resort when there is no other available option to control life-threatening extremity hemorrhage. Improvised tourniquets may not be effective in controlling bleeding, may loosen after placement, and could cause tissue damage if too narrow.

An improvised tourniquet is an absolute last resort!

If an improvised tourniquet must be used, use materials at least 2 inches in width to avoid tissue damage, continue to reassess after placement as they are prone to loosening, and apply a CoTCCC-recommended tourniquet as soon as one becomes available.