How to Respond to Bleeding Injuries
Bleeding injuries, caused by accidental trauma to the body, may happen in any number of ways and can range from minor scrapes or scratches to devastating and life threatening injuries. Knowing how to respond and treat these injuries is certainly a skill worth having, and you might even save a life.
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Instructions
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Types of Bleeding
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Capillary bleeding, from the tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin, is generally associated with scrapes and light scratches. Bleeding is usually slow or oozing and bright red in color.
Venous bleeding occurs from slightly deeper cuts and serious scrapes. The blood is dark red to maroon in color and flows at a steady rate.
The most serious and potentially life threatening type of bleeding is from deep wounds or partial amputations in which the arteries are involved. Arterial bleeding is fast, oftentimes spurting with each heartbeat, and is bright red in color.
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Before beginning treatment of any injury, wash your hands to avoid infection. When treating a person you don't know, always remember---if it's wet, don't get it on you. Use surgical gloves. Any bodily fluid has the potential to transmit diseases.
Minor cuts and scratches are the easiest to treat. Because Bleeding is slow or oozing, it can be controlled with the application of a gauze pad and light pressure. Cleanse the wound with a mild antibacterial soap and lots of clean water. Apply some antibiotic ointment and a loose dressing to protect the area.
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Deeper cuts and severe scrapes tend to bleed more freely and longer. Apply a sterile gauze pad and use direct pressure on the wound. If the pad soaks through and the wound is still bleeding, don't remove the gauze. You will disrupt the clotting that has begun. Instead, add more gauze on top and increase the pressure. If the wound is on an arm or leg, try elevating the limb above heart level and let gravity do the job. A visit to an urgent care facility is best so the wound can be cleaned properly, a decision made regarding the need for stitches and the wound bandaged correctly.
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Severe bleeding from an artery needs rapid and aggressive treatment. Direct pressure to the wound should begin at once. Contact emergency personnel (911) for assistance. Add sterile pads and continue with heavy pressure on the wound. As before, never remove the dressing to have a look. Continue adding dressings as needed. Elevate an arm or leg above heart level. If the injury is on an arm, apply pressure on the inner arm, just below the bicep, to pinch down the brachial artery and slow the blood flow to the injury. Likewise, with a leg injury, apply pressure with the heel of your hand on the inner thigh, just below the crease where the leg meets the groin. This will pinch down the femoral artery and slow the flow of blood.
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A word about tourniquets: don't. They can be effective at stopping serious bleeding, but they often cause more problems than they cure. Tourniquets are a last resort. In the case of a partial or full amputation, a tourniquet may be your only choice. It should be made of a soft material approximately 2 inches wide and placed within 2 to 3 inches of the injury. Only tighten it enough to stop the bleeding, and don't ever loosen it. Leave the job for the doctor. Noting the time the tourniquet was applied will be an important piece of information for the emergency room doctor.
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Be prepared and have a well-stocked first-aid kit in your home and another one in your car. Think about attending a first-aid class at your community college. Being trained and prepared will boost your confidence should you ever need to respond to a bleeding injury.
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