When should you loosen a Tourniquet?

Loosening a tourniquet is a critical decision in emergency care, especially in traumatic situations where severe bleeding is involved. The reason "never" is the most appropriate answer is that once a tourniquet is applied, it should remain in place until a medical professional can evaluate the situation. Loosening a tourniquet prematurely can lead to a resurgence of bleeding, which could jeopardize the patient's life.

Tourniquets are designed to completely occlude blood flow to the extremity where they are applied, creating a controlled environment where bleeding is halted and tissues are preserved until further treatment can be administered. Medical personnel are trained to safely manage the release of a tourniquet when appropriate. At that point, they can monitor for any complications and decide on further interventions based on the patient's condition.

In the context of the other options, circulation returning or bleeding stopping are not reliable indicators that it is safe to loosen a tourniquet, as these could lead to critical misjudgments in managing hemorrhage. Only medical personnel should make the final decision on tourniquet management to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes.