What is often the best approach for controlling severe bleeding in combat situations?

Using tourniquets or hemostatic dressings is considered the best approach for controlling severe bleeding in combat situations due to their effectiveness and the critical time-sensitive nature of addressing significant hemorrhage. Tourniquets are designed to occlude blood flow to a limb or extremity quickly, thereby preventing further blood loss and increasing the chances of survival until definitive medical care can be provided. Hemostatic dressings are specially formulated to promote rapid clotting at the injury site and are particularly useful for managing bleeding from wounds that are difficult to compress effectively.

These methods are widely accepted in Tactical Combat Casualty Care practices because they can be applied effectively in often chaotic and rapidly evolving combat environments where other methods, such as direct pressure or cold compress applications, may not provide adequate and timely control of life-threatening hemorrhages. Furthermore, they allow the provider to continue with other life-saving interventions or to evacuate the casualty as necessary.