The femoral artery is used to control severe bleeding of the thigh and lower leg. It is located on the front, center part of the crease in the groin. If the bleeding is not controlled, it may be necessary to press directly over the artery with the flat surface of the fingertips and to apply additional pressure on the fingertips with the heel of your other hand. Tourniquet A tourniquet should be used only as a last resort to control severe bleeding after all other methods have failed and is used only on the extremities . Before use, you must thoroughly understand its dangers and limitations.
Tourniquets cause tissue damage and loss of extremities when used by untrained individuals.
Tourniquets are rarely required and should only be used when an arm or leg has been partially or completely severed and when bleeding is uncontrollable. The standard tourniquet is normally a piece of cloth folded until it is 3 or more inches wide and 6 or 7 layers thick. A tourniquet can be a strap, belt, neckerchief, towel, or other similar item. A folded triangular bandage makes a great tourniquet. Never use wire, cord, or any material that will cut the skin.