d. Amputation of Part of a Hand or Foot. An amputation of a part of the
hand exists when the amputation site is below the wrist and does not involve the entire
hand. An amputation of a part of the foot exists when the amputation site is below the
ankle and does not involve the entire foot.
2-29. APPLY A TOURNIQUET TO AN AMPUTATION OF THE LIMB
A complete or partial amputation of the limb requires the immediate application
of a tourniquet. Do not attempt to control bleeding with a field dressing, elevation,
manual pressure, and/or pressure dressing before applying a tourniquet. If the
amputation is incomplete, do not complete the amputation. There is a possibility the
limb may still be saved.
a. Locate the Tourniquet Site. Locate a site for the tourniquet that is two to
four inches above the wound (amputation site), but which is not over a joint. If the
amputation site is just below the elbow or knee, select a site above the joint and as
close to the joint as possible.
b. Apply the Tourniquet. Apply a Combat Application Tourniquet or an
improvised tourniquet. Make sure arterial bleeding below the tourniquet has ceased.
c. Mark the Casualty. Mark the casualty's forehead to indicate the application
of a tourniquet (paragraph 2-19).
2-30. APPLY A DRESSING TO THE STUMP
Dress and bandage the stump or exposed area of a partial amputation. The
dressing will absorb drainage from the wound and help to protect the wound from
additional contamination and further injury. This is accomplished during the tactical
field care phase as the situation permits. The dressing and bandage should not
interfere with or hide the tourniquet. The dressing can be secured with an elastic roller
bandage using the recurrent wrap technique described below and in figure 2-25.
NOTE:
The tourniquet and the dressing are not shown in figure 2-25. A similar
technique can be used to secure a dressing applied to a complete
amputation of part of the hand or foot.)
a. Lay the end of the bandage on the limb below the tourniquet and at an angle
so one corner (apex) of the bandage is pointing upward.
b. Wrap the bandage completely around the limb; then wrap the bandage
around a second time.
c. Turn down the apex (shown as a small triangle in figure 2-25 A) so it lies on
top of the second layer of the bandage and wrap the bandage around the limb a third
time. The bandage is now anchored.
MD0554
2-35