Where should a tourniquet be placed in relation to an injury?

A tourniquet should be placed two inches above the injury to be effective in controlling severe bleeding. The positioning above the injury is crucial because it allows the tourniquet to compress the blood vessels responsible for supplying blood to the injured area. By doing this, it minimizes blood flow to the wound site, significantly reducing the risk of blood loss and providing a better chance of survival until further medical help can be obtained.

Placing the tourniquet at or directly on the site of the injury may not adequately control the bleeding, as it may not effectively compress the arteries responsible for the blood flow. Additionally, positioning it too far away, such as below the injury, can also reduce its effectiveness in stopping the hemorrhage. Thus, placing the tourniquet approximately two inches above the injury optimally balances the need for control of bleeding while still allowing the injured site to be accessible for further treatment if necessary.