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

3. Elevate the injured area above the heart.

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

5. Keep the pressure on for five minutes.

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

Pressure Points

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

11. 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

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

13. 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.
• 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.

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[thatsme]

on 9/15/2008 i am first aid trained i have been doing first aid for 10 years now and i have NEVER been told to locate pressure points, for the first reason that if you are not properly trained in this area it can be extremely dangerous and secondly it inhibits the casulty's personal space if the pressure point near the groin is to be pushed upon, i as a casulty would wish for the first aider to show somer decency and delicacy. to stop the bleeding, adequate pressure put upon the wound will stop many smaller major bleeds and if it cannot be stopped the ambulance service should be on the way at some point i imagine one should have been called as soon as the major bleed was discovered.

all those reading the article should note, if you are not properly trained you should not be putting someone at risk - if you wish to help someone then courses that wil show you how to adequately provide first aid to s