How long should you hold pressure before applying a pressure bandage after packing a wound with combat gauze?

• A. 3 minutes
• B. 30 seconds
• C. 1 minute
• D. 5 minutes

Answer: (A)

Holding direct pressure after packing with combat gauze gives the blood a moment to start clotting and for the gauze to embed and compress the wound so a stable seal can form. The standard duration is about three minutes of continuous pressure. This brief pause helps reduce the risk of rebleeding once you wrap with a pressure bandage. If bleeding is not controlled after roughly three minutes, you should maintain pressure, reconfirm packing, and escalate care per your training (additional gauze, recheck for ongoing bleeding, or other steps as appropriate). Shorter times don’t give enough clot formation, and longer times aren’t necessary and can delay the bandage and further actions.