During a medical emergency, how is the use of an improvised tourniquet mainly justified?

The use of an improvised tourniquet is primarily justified in situations where commercial tourniquets are not available. In medical emergencies, particularly those involving severe bleeding from a limb, controlling the blood loss is critical to improve the chances of survival and prevent shock. When access to a commercially made tourniquet is not possible—whether due to time constraints, environmental conditions, or resource limitations—improvised options become essential. The ability to create a tourniquet from readily available materials, such as a belt, rope, or cloth, allows for immediate intervention to stem bleeding, which can be a life-threatening situation.

This underscores the necessity of improvisation in emergency medical situations, emphasizing the importance of having basic knowledge about how to effectively use common materials to control bleeding when proper medical supplies are out of reach. Knowing how to apply an improvised tourniquet can make a critical difference in the outcome for an injured person.