It is important to know how you can help if you end up in a situation where someone has

been stabbed. In this way, you can react in an effective and calm manner.

Catastrophic bleeding is a common result of stab wounds but is not just confined to
crime. It can happen any time and anywhere. It can occur as a result of DIY injuries,
accidents in the kitchen or even after a slip of a saw whilst cutting branches in the
garden. There are some very simple steps to follow that could help enormously and
save lives. Read on to find out what to do for treating major bleeding and shock, should
you be first on the scene at such an accident. This article will help you learn how to help
someone who has been stabbed or seriously bleeding.

Severe Bleeding caused by a Stab Wound

Stab wounds are a form of sharp-force trauma or a breach on the chest cavity that may
put the great vessels at risk of penetration. It can be a form of accidental or self-inflicted
injury. In critical stab wounds where bleeding is severe, the priority is to control the
bleed. If the bleeding is not controlled, the person is likely to develop shock, lose
consciousness, and may even become unresponsive. Painful and potentially life-
threatening stab wounds require first aid treatment to stop bleeding and pain

Severe bleeding happens if a large vein or artery has been injured, if bleeding doesn’t
stop the person can lose a lot of blood. It can be serious.

First Aid following a stabbing

Always ensure the area is safe and you are not in any danger, before commencing any
first aid.

Protect yourself and wear gloves if possible.

Talk to the casualty and quickly establish if there is any response, or if they are
unconscious.

If they are unconscious and breathing, put them into the recovery position and treat any
obvious bleeding.
When they are unconscious and not breathing – if there is a life-threatening bleed that
you are unable to stop with direct pressure – then this is a catastrophic bleed.
Therefore, this is a priority over resuscitation. If there is no obvious pulsating bleed, and
they are unconscious and not breathing – then call for an ambulance (and a defibrillator)
and commence CPR immediately.