First-Aid

How to Treat a Bleeding Wound Part 1

About how to treat a bleeding wound, tips and instructions on
best methods to stop blood flow.

BLEEDING

If the bleeding is profuse, it is of the utmost importance to control it

immediately. A person can survive a limited period of heavy
bleeding.

There are 2 kinds of bleeding: 1. bleeding from a vein, which oozes

out in a smooth stream; this type of bleeding can normally be
controlled with direct pressure; 2. bleeding from an artery, which
spouts out intermittently in a pulsating fashion; this type of bleeding
may require a tourniquet, although 2 other methods of control
should be tried 1st.

Treatment

1. Cover the whole wound with sterile gauze, a clean piece of cloth
or clothing, or--in a dire emergency--with your hand.

2. Press firmly over the wound with your palm until the bleeding
stops. If an arm or leg is involved, raise it and then press firmly.

3. Apply additional layers of cloth on top of the original ones and

secure them firmly (but not tightly enough to block circulation). If
blood saturates this dressing, do not remove it; simply add more
layers on top of it.

4. If bleeding cannot be controlled by pressing directly on the

wound, and if the blood comes from an arm or leg, then apply
pressure to the supply artery. For the arm: Hold the arm up with one
hand around the wrist. Press as hard as you can with all 4 fingers of
the other hand on the inner arm (midway between the armpit and
elbow, and midway between the topside and the underside of the
arm). For the leg: Make a tight fist and press as hard as you can
with it on the side of the groin, just above the inside of the thigh.

This method of applying pressure will slow down the bleeding in the
extremity below the point of pressure. Another person, if available,
should continue direct pressure over the wound.

5. If the bleeding cannot be controlled by either of these methods

and if it is so rapid that the person's life is in danger, then apply a
tourniquet. Use only on an arm or leg.