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.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber Or Latex Gloves

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Instructions

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.