Final answer:
A tourniquet should only be used as a last resort to control severe bleeding in life-threatening situations. Proper training is essential to apply it correctly and avoid complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
A tourniquet is a medical device used to control severe bleeding. It should only be used as a last resort when all other methods of bleeding control have failed. This is because a tourniquet completely stops blood flow to a limb, which can have serious consequences if left in place for too long.
Tourniquet usage is typically reserved for situations where there is a risk of death or severe injury if bleeding is not controlled immediately. In such cases, the use of a tourniquet takes precedence over other methods like direct pressure or elevation.
Before using a tourniquet, it is important to have received proper training on how to apply it correctly. Applying a tourniquet improperly can lead to complications and may cause more harm than good. Therefore, only individuals who have been trained in first aid or emergency medical procedures should use a tourniquet.