What is the primary purpose of applying a tourniquet?

The primary purpose of applying a tourniquet is to control severe bleeding. When a person suffers from a traumatic injury that results in significant blood loss, a tourniquet can be applied to constrict blood flow to the affected area, effectively reducing or stopping the flow of blood. This is a critical life-saving measure that can prevent shock and the potential fatality that can arise from excessive blood loss.

While bandaging a wound can help protect it and facilitate healing, it does not directly address severe bleeding the way a tourniquet does. Preventing infection is an important aspect of wound care, but it is not the immediate objective of using a tourniquet. Stabilizing a fracture is another crucial aspect of trauma care; however, it does not relate to the use of a tourniquet, which specifically targets bleeding control. Thus, the action of applying a tourniquet is vital in emergency medical situations for managing life-threatening bleeding.