How long should a tourniquet not be left on an injured extremity?

A tourniquet should not be left on an injured extremity for more than two hours to avoid the risk of permanent damage to the tissues and muscles. Prolonged application of a tourniquet can lead to serious complications such as ischemia, which is the restriction of blood supply to the tissues. This can cause necrosis, or tissue death, and can also affect the nerves, potentially leading to loss of function in the affected limb.

In emergency medicine, a two-hour time frame is often cited as the maximum duration for which a tourniquet can be safely applied. After this period, the risks of irreversible damage increase significantly. It’s essential that the tourniquet be monitored closely, and medical intervention should be sought as soon as possible to evaluate and treat the injury. This time constraint emphasizes the need for timely medical care and the importance of following established protocols for the use of tourniquets in emergency situations.