What should a first responder do if they encounter a casualty with a traumatic amputation?

When encountering a casualty with a traumatic amputation, the most critical action is to control massive bleeding, which is commonly addressed with a tourniquet. Traumatic amputations are often associated with significant blood loss due to the severing of blood vessels; thus, rapid and effective bleeding control is essential to prevent hypovolemic shock and increase the chances of survival.

Applying a tourniquet serves to occlude blood flow to the affected area, significantly reducing blood loss and allowing time for emergency medical services to arrive. It's important to ensure that the tourniquet is applied as high on the limb as possible and that the time of application is documented, as this information is crucial for subsequent medical personnel.

While stabilizing the area with a splint or providing comfort may be important in the overall care of the casualty, these actions do not address the immediate life-threatening situation posed by uncontrolled bleeding. Immediate transport may also be necessary, but without first controlling the bleeding, the casualty's condition could worsen during transportation. Therefore, controlling massive bleeding with a tourniquet is the priority in managing traumatic amputations.