Updated October 21, 2026
Getting downed in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 DMZ doesn't always mean the end of your deployment. The Tourniquet system can help you recover without a Self-Revive Kit, but using it comes with a penalty: your maximum health drops, and your Operator is left wounded.
The confusing part comes afterward. You might use a Bandage or Stim, see your health improve, and assume you're fully recovered. However, temporary wound treatment doesn't restore your Tourniquet.
To permanently repair the wound and restore your Tourniquet, you need a Medkit.
This guide explains how Tourniquet recovery works, why your maximum health drops to 100, how different medical items work, and what to do before your next fight.
📋 Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: How to Heal a Wound
- How Tourniquet Self-Revive Works
- Why Your Maximum Health Drops to 100
- Why Bandages and Stims Don't Fully Heal Wounds
- How to Repair a Wound and Restore Your Tourniquet
- Bandage vs Stim vs Pain Killers vs Medkit
- How to Craft a Medkit
- Where to Find Medical Supplies on Hajin
- What to Do If You Can't Self-Revive Again
- MW4 DMZ Healing FAQ
- Final Tips: Repair the Wound Before Your Next Fight
Quick Answer: How to Heal a Wound in MW4 DMZ
If you're wounded after using the Tourniquet, use a Medkit to repair the wound and restore your Tourniquet.
Follow these steps:
- Get to safety after recovering from the downed state.
- Check whether your maximum health has dropped from 150 to 100.
- Use a Bandage or Stim if you need temporary recovery.
- Find or obtain a Medkit.
- Select and use the Medkit from your available inventory.
- Once the wound is repaired, your normal maximum health and Tourniquet are restored.
A Bandage, Stim, or Pain Killers can help while you're wounded, but none replaces a Medkit's permanent wound-repair effect.
How Tourniquet Self-Revive Works in MW4 DMZ
The Tourniquet is an emergency recovery mechanic that lets you get back up after being downed, even without a Self-Revive Kit.
When the option is available, the game displays:
Sacrifice Health to Revive
On PlayStation controls, the prompt can appear as:
Hold [Triangle] to Sacrifice Health to Revive
Hold the displayed button to recover.
However, this isn't a free revive. Using the Tourniquet sacrifices part of your maximum health and leaves you wounded.
What Happens After Using the Tourniquet?
After recovering, you may notice:
- Your maximum health is reduced.
- Damage-related visual effects may remain.
- The game recommends temporarily patching your wound.
- You cannot immediately rely on the Tourniquet for another recovery.
This means getting back on your feet is only the first step.
If enemies are nearby, prioritize reaching cover before attempting further treatment.
Tourniquet vs Self-Revive Kit: What's the Difference?
The Tourniquet and Self-Revive Kit are separate recovery options.
- Tourniquet: Lets you recover by sacrificing maximum health, leaving you wounded until you receive proper treatment.
- Self-Revive Kit: A separate piece of equipment used to recover from the downed state.
The Tourniquet's main limitation is that you must repair the resulting wound before you can use that recovery option again.
Why Your Maximum Health Drops From 150 to 100
Your normal maximum health in MW4 DMZ is 150 HP.
When you use the Tourniquet to recover, you sacrifice 50 maximum HP, reducing your maximum health to 100 HP.
That leaves you with less health available during subsequent fights, even if your remaining health regenerates.
How Do You Restore the Missing 50 HP?
There are two different types of recovery:
- Temporary maximum-health restoration: Items such as Bandages, Stims, and Pain Killers can temporarily offset the wounded penalty.
- Permanent wound repair: A Medkit repairs the wound, restores your normal maximum health, and makes your Tourniquet available again.
The distinction matters because a temporarily restored health bar doesn't mean your wound has been repaired.
Why Bandages and Stims Don't Fully Heal Wounds
After Tourniquet recovery or serious combat damage, MW4 DMZ may recommend using medical supplies.
You may see one of these HUD messages:
USE BANDAGE TO TEMPORARILY PATCH YOUR WOUND
USE STIM TO TEMPORARILY PATCH YOUR WOUND
The important word is temporarily.
These items help you manage the wounded state, but they don't permanently repair it.
When Should You Use a Bandage?
Use a Bandage when you're wounded and need temporary relief before obtaining a Medkit.
It can help you continue moving or survive another encounter, but don't mistake its effect for permanent recovery.
When Should You Use a Stim?
A Stim is particularly useful when you need to recover and move quickly.
Its listed effects include:
- Restoring maximum health.
- Faster health regeneration.
- Instantly refilling stamina.
While wounded, its maximum-health restoration provides temporary relief rather than permanent wound repair.
For example, if you recover near an enemy-controlled tower or exposed roadway, using a Stim can help you regain mobility and reach cover.
However, you'll still need a Medkit to restore your Tourniquet.
How to Repair a Wound and Restore Your Tourniquet
A Medkit is the medical item that permanently repairs a wound and restores the Tourniquet.
Step 1: Obtain a Medkit
You can prepare a Medkit through the 3D Printer at your Forward Operating Base or obtain one during a deployment.
If you're expecting difficult combat, bringing one beforehand can save you from having to search for medical supplies while wounded.
Step 2: Move Somewhere Safe
Find cover before using medical equipment.
Avoid remaining in an exposed location where enemies can attack while you're managing your inventory.
Step 3: Use the Medkit
Select the Medkit from your available inventory and use it.
The Medkit repairs your wound and restores your normal maximum-health capacity.
Step 4: Check Your Tourniquet
After treatment, your Tourniquet should be available for another emergency recovery.
Your normal maximum health is restored to 150 HP, although your current health may still need to regenerate.
Tip: If you've already used several Bandages or Stims and are still wounded, stop relying on temporary treatment. Look for a Medkit instead.
Bandage vs Stim vs Pain Killers vs Medkit
Not every medical item in MW4 DMZ treats wounds in the same way.
| Medical Item | Main Effect | Repairs Wound? |
|---|---|---|
| Bandage | Temporarily patches a wound | No |
| Stim | Restores max health temporarily while wounded, speeds regeneration, and refills stamina | No |
| Pain Killers | Temporarily restores max health, improves regeneration, and reduces visual damage effects | No |
| Medkit | Repairs wounds and restores the Tourniquet | Yes |
What Do Pain Killers Do?
Pain Killers are an Uncommon Consumable with a 60-second duration.
Their effects include:
- Faster health regeneration.
- Temporarily restoring maximum health when wounded.
- Reduced visual damage effects.
They can be useful if you expect more fighting before reaching safety.
However, the effect is temporary and doesn't repair the underlying wound.
Which Healing Item Should You Prioritize?
If you're trying to escape immediate danger, a Bandage or Stim may be enough to help you move to safety.
If you need to remove the wounded state and restore your Tourniquet, prioritize a Medkit.
For longer deployments, carrying both temporary healing and a Medkit gives you more options.
How to Craft a Medkit in MW4 DMZ
You can craft a Medkit through the 3D Printer at your Forward Operating Base (FOB).
The recipe unlocks at DMZ Player Level 2.
Medkit Crafting Requirements
| Material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chemicals | 30 |
| Binding Catalyst | 1 |
| Biomaterials | 5 |
Once you have the required materials and unlock level, select the Medkit recipe at the 3D Printer.
Preparing one before deployment is especially useful if you expect difficult fights or plan to operate far from medical supply locations.
How to Craft Bandages
Bandages are also available through the 3D Printer at DMZ Player Level 2.
The recipe requires:
- 15 Synthetics
- 15 Chemicals
Bandages can provide temporary wound treatment, but they don't replace a Medkit.
Should You Craft a Medkit or Bandages First?
If you're preparing for a long or dangerous deployment, prioritize a Medkit when you have the required materials.
Bandages are useful for temporary recovery, particularly when you're trying to conserve more valuable supplies.
The best choice depends on your available resources and how much combat you expect.
Where to Find Medical Supplies on Hajin
Medical items and crafting materials can appear in several types of loot containers throughout the Hajin Exclusion Zone.
If you need healing supplies, the following containers are worth checking.
First Aid Kits
Wall-mounted First Aid Kits can contain:
- Stims.
- Chemicals.
- Biomaterials.
- Other medical-related supplies.
These containers are especially useful when collecting materials for Medkit crafting.
Medicine Cabinets
Medicine Cabinets inside bathrooms and other buildings can contain useful consumables and Chemicals.
Check them while exploring rather than waiting until you're already wounded.
Supply Containers and Care Packages
General supply containers can also provide medical items.
For example, Pain Killers can appear in care packages.
Loot contents may vary, so a particular container isn't guaranteed to contain the same supplies every time.
Make Room for Medical Supplies
A full backpack can prevent you from collecting useful items.
If you're carrying too many valuables, crafting materials, or spare equipment, you may need to reorganize your inventory before picking up additional medical supplies.
For more inventory tips, see our Modern Warfare 4 DMZ Backpack Full guide.
Collect Chemicals While Completing Objectives
Chemicals are required for both Bandages and Medkits.
Searching medical containers while completing missions can help you gather materials without making a separate trip.
For example, you can look for supplies while progressing through the objectives covered in our MW4 DMZ Broken Resupply walkthrough.
What to Do If You Can't Self-Revive Again
If you've already used the Tourniquet and are still wounded, it won't be available for another recovery until the wound is repaired.
Here's what to check.
1. Check Your Wounded Status
If your maximum health remains reduced after Tourniquet recovery, you haven't permanently repaired the wound.
Remember that temporary healing effects can make your health appear normal for a limited time.
2. Use a Medkit
A Medkit repairs the wound and restores the Tourniquet.
If you don't have one, prioritize finding medical supplies or extracting safely rather than taking unnecessary fights.
3. Don't Rely on Repeated Stims
Using another Stim won't permanently remove the wounded state.
Stims are useful for temporary recovery, but the Medkit is what restores your Tourniquet.
4. Avoid Unnecessary Fall Damage
High structures can be dangerous if you jump from them without a safe way down.
Use ladders or other available descent routes instead of risking a downed state.
This is especially relevant when visiting Lieutenant Hunt Towers. If you're completing that objective, see our MW4 DMZ Hunter Order: Lieutenant Hunt Tower Guide.
MW4 DMZ Healing FAQ
How Do You Heal a Wound in Modern Warfare 4 DMZ?
Use a Medkit. It repairs the wound, restores your normal maximum health, and resets your Tourniquet.
Why Is My Maximum Health Only 100?
Using the Tourniquet to recover sacrifices 50 maximum HP, reducing your normal 150 HP to 100 HP until the wound is repaired.
Does a Bandage Permanently Heal a Wound?
No. Bandages provide temporary wound treatment. You need a Medkit to permanently repair the wound.
Can a Stim Restore Your Tourniquet?
No. A Stim provides temporary health-related benefits and instantly refills stamina, but it doesn't permanently repair the wound.
What Does Sacrifice Health to Revive Mean?
It means you can recover from the downed state by using your Tourniquet, but doing so sacrifices maximum health and leaves you wounded.
How Do You Get Your Tourniquet Back?
Repair your wound with a Medkit. This restores your normal maximum health and makes the Tourniquet available again.
Can You Craft a Medkit in MW4 DMZ?
Yes. The Medkit recipe requires 30 Chemicals, 1 Binding Catalyst, and 5 Biomaterials and unlocks at DMZ Player Level 2.
Final Tips: Repair the Wound Before Your Next Fight
The biggest mistake after Tourniquet recovery is assuming that a restored health bar means you're fully healed.
Bandages, Stims, and Pain Killers can help you survive temporarily, but only a Medkit repairs the wound and restores your Tourniquet.
If you're preparing for a difficult deployment, bring appropriate medical supplies, collect crafting materials when you find them, and avoid unnecessary fights while your maximum health is reduced.
Getting your Tourniquet back before the next dangerous encounter gives you another chance to recover instead of losing your deployment.
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