An adult male has sustained a deep laceration to his distal thigh with bright red blood spurting from the wound. What is the most appropriate next step?

In cases of severe bleeding, especially when bright red blood is spurting from a wound, this indicates arterial bleeding, which is life-threatening and requires immediate intervention. Applying a tourniquet is appropriate because it effectively occludes blood flow to the affected limb, stopping the bleeding rapidly.

When applying a tourniquet, it is crucial to tighten it until bleeding has ceased, ensuring that it is placed above the level of the wound to control blood flow. The use of a tourniquet is a critical skill in prehospital trauma care and is indicated when direct pressure fails or when the bleeding is life-threatening and there is a risk of rapid exsanguination.

Other options, such as applying pressure bandages, elevating the leg, or using ice, may be useful in certain bleeding scenarios but are not sufficient or effective for managing a situation where there is profuse, spurting arterial bleeding. These methods do not provide the immediate and definitive control of bleeding that a tourniquet does in this critical situation.