When can a tourniquet that was applied for severe external bleeding be slowly removed?

The appropriate time to slowly remove a tourniquet is when a doctor has arrived on scene to take over the care of the patient. Removing a tourniquet should be done with extreme caution, as it is crucial to monitor the patient's condition and ensure their safety. A medical professional is equipped to assess the injury and decide on the necessary intervention to manage the bleeding effectively.

Maintaining the tourniquet in place until medical personnel can take over is vital, as removing it prematurely, without proper assessment and control of the underlying injury, could lead to significant blood loss and complications. The other options suggest scenarios that do not provide the necessary medical supervision or assessment needed to safely remove a tourniquet. The correct approach aligns with the principle of ensuring that once advanced medical help is available, the situation can be assessed adequately, allowing for a safe and appropriate intervention.