How to Treat Severe Bleeding During First Aid

Bleeding is frequently the most serious risk to an injured person's life. If you have found severe bleeding during the primary survey (see "How to Conduct a Primary Survey of an Injured Person During First Aid"), treat it with the following steps.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Rubber Or Latex Gloves

Initial Assessment

1. Put on latex gloves to prevent infection or disease transmission.

2. Determine the location of the bleeding.

Elevation and Direct Pressure

1. Elevate the injured area above the heart.

2. Apply direct pressure to the bleeding area, using sterile cloth or gauze.

3. Keep the pressure on for five minutes.

4. Check to see if the bleeding has stopped. If it hasn't, apply pressure for 15 minutes.

Pressure Points

1. Check again to see if bleeding has stopped or significantly slowed. If it still hasn't, then locate the appropriate pressure point.

2. Find the brachial pressure point for bleeding on the arms: It's on the inside of the upper arm, just beneath the biceps, where a pulse can be felt.

3. Find the femoral pressure point for bleeding on the legs: It's in the soft area of the groin, at the crease between the inside of the upper leg and the crotch.

4. Press at the pressure point, toward the bone, to cut off blood flow.

5. Release pressure slowly after 10 minutes. If clotting has not stopped or significantly slowed the bleeding, and if professional help is far away, apply a tourniquet. (See "How to Make and Apply a Tourniquet During First Aid.")

Extended Care

1. Clean and bandage the wound once bleeding has stopped or slowed to a trickle. (See "How to Clean a Wound During First Aid.")

2. Splint serious wounds to avoid movement that could restart bleeding.

Tips & Warnings

• If there is another rescuer, have him or her maintain direct pressure on the wound while you work the pressure point. If you are the only rescuer, wrap a roller bandage semi-tightly around the wound to maintain pressure.

• If you suspect a spinal injury, be especially careful not to move or twist the neck or spine. Have another rescuer stabilize the injured person's head and neck while you treat the bleeding (see "How to Rule out a Spinal Cord Injury During First Aid").

• If the bleeding is not from a limb, then the only methods available to you out of those given below are elevation and direct pressure. Pressure points and tourniquets are of no use.

• If you suspect broken bones in the area of the injury, elevation may worsen the injury and increase the bleeding. In such cases, minimize movement of the injured area and do not elevate.

• If the gauze soaks through with blood while you're applying pressure, do not remove the dressing. Instead, add more sterile gauze.

• Only apply a tourniquet if the injured person is in imminent danger of bleeding to death, since a complete cutoff of the blood supply can result in limb loss.

• Some diseases, such as AIDS and Hepatitis B, are transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids. To minimize the risk of infection from oozing or spurting fluids, wear latex gloves and plastic goggles.

• Many other illnesses can be transmitted through the air. Wear a surgical mask to minimize the risk.

• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.