Control of hemorrhage must be achieved in under how many minutes?

Controlling hemorrhage rapidly is critical in Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) because uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield. Achieving hemostasis within a short time frame significantly increases the likelihood of survival for a casualty. The emphasis on a time limit of 2:30 minutes for hemorrhage control reflects the need to act quickly, considering the physiological changes that occur when a person loses blood.

After approximately 2 to 3 minutes without blood flow, a patient can start to experience irreversible shock and organ failure. Therefore, achieving hemorrhage control as soon as possible—ideally within 2:30 minutes—ensures that the patient has a greater chance of maintaining their physiological functions and surviving until further medical treatment can be administered. This timeframe aligns with the TCCC guidelines that emphasize rapid intervention to stop bleeding as a priority in trauma care.