What is the purpose of a tourniquet during Care Under Fire?

The primary purpose of a tourniquet during Care Under Fire is to control life-threatening hemorrhage. In combat scenarios, particularly in the initial phases of care, the most critical concern is to stop massive bleeding that could lead to rapid death. A tourniquet is applied to the limb to occlude blood flow, thereby preventing the loss of blood and stabilizing the casualty's condition until more definitive medical care can be administered.

This life-saving intervention is crucial because uncontrolled hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in trauma situations. The effective and timely use of a tourniquet can significantly increase the chances of survival for a casualty suffering from severe bleeding.

While stabilizing the casualty for transport, providing pain relief, and enabling combat engagement are important considerations in tactical situations, they are secondary to the immediate need to control active hemorrhaging. Therefore, understanding the role and application of a tourniquet as a means to address life-threatening bleeding is essential in TCCC protocols.