How to Stop Bleeding

Most minor cuts can be handled by the victim or with minimal help from another person. In the case of major injuries in which excessive bleeding occurs, people need to know how to control and stop bleeding. Taking steps to stop bleeding can prevent too much blood loss or even exsanguination (bleeding to death).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Apply pressure to the wound. Use whatever is available, such as shirts, socks or towels. Do not remove the item you are using to apply pressure because removing it will restart the bleeding. When the material becomes saturated, add another item on top and continue to apply pressure. Although the item you use likely is not sterile, don't worry about infection at this point. Infections can be treated later; the goal now is to stop the bleeding.

2. Apply a pressure bandage once bleeding stops or slows. Place a strip of cloth over the center of the absorbing pad and tie it tightly.

3. Elevate a bleeding limb. If a leg or arm is bleeding, elevate it and apply pressure. If bleeding is difficult to control, apply pressure where an artery comes close to the bone, such as in the groin area for a bleeding leg or just above the bend in the arm.

4. Keep the bleeding person lying down and warm if you suspect internal bleeding. This will help avoid shock while you wait for medical personnel. Keep the victim's head lower than the body, unless the person loses consciousness or you suspect a head injury.

5. Use a tourniquet as a last resort. Only use a tourniquet for life threatening bleeding or if a limb or digit is severed and pressure won't stop the bleeding. Make a tourniquet by tearing a strip of cloth and winding it twice around the injured limb close to and above the wound. Tie the cloth in a half knot, place a stick or other cylindrical object over the knot and then tie 2 full knots. Twist the stick until the bleeding stops and hold the free end of the stick in place by tying it to the limb with another strip of cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful using tourniquets because they stop blood flow to other parts of the body. If medical help is hours away, loosen the tourniquet every hour but continue to apply direct pressure to the wound. If medical help is close, avoid the risk of shock and don't loosen the tourniquet.

Resources

• Find first aid and medical information at KidsHealth.
• Mayo Clinic has information about many medical conditions.

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[dadwithkids]

on 8/4/2009 I saw this article linking to another bleeding article and thought my comment would include a good bit of information for this bleeding article too. Just read about a bandage called ABC Gauze that's supposed to stop bleeding super fast. It's not regular cotton gauze--it's a bandage that turns into gel when it makes contact with blood. The gel expands over the blood and stops the bleeding. It seems like it has the potential to replace Steps 5,, 7, 8, and 9. Has anyone used ABC Gauze?