What is indirect pressure in the context of bleeding control?

Indirect pressure refers to a method of controlling bleeding by applying pressure to a blood vessel located proximal to the site of the bleeding. This technique works by compressing the artery before it reaches the affected area, which helps to reduce blood flow and control hemorrhage. By applying pressure above the injury, the bleeding can be minimized while inherently allowing for a better chance of preserving circulation to the distal tissue. This is particularly useful in managing severe bleeding when immediate direct pressure at the wound site alone may not be effective or feasible.

In contrast, applying pressure at the wound site focuses directly on the bleeding point, while applying pressure distal to the bleeding site can exacerbate bleeding by allowing continued flow toward the injury. Using an improvised tourniquet is also a method of controlling severe bleeding, but it is specifically designed for situations where other techniques are insufficient, and it may not solely represent the concept of indirect pressure as described in the context of this question.