Bleeding
Apply a clean dry dressing to the wound. Use firm pressure to control the blood flow. Raise the wound (if there are no fractures) to decrease the flow of blood. Always seek medical help for the bleeding unless it is minor. Wrap any severed body part e.g. a finger in a plastic bag or cling film, wrap in soft material and keep cool. Preferably place in ice; never put the severed body part in direct contact with the ice.
Bleeding occurs when the blood vessels are cut or torn. Arterial blood is bright red and spurts from wounds in time with the heartbeat. If left uncontrolled, it can lead to dangerous blood loss to the extent that the circulation cannot be maintained.
Venous blood is darker, and pours rather than spurts from a wound.
First aid for external bleeding
Severe bleeding is always serious and potentially fatal, so swift action is needed. If bleeding is from a limb, raise the limb above the level of the casualty’s heart, and then support it.
Check the wound for embedded objects. If there are none, put on some gloves and apply direct pressure to the wound with your fingers or hand. If an embedded object is present, apply pressure to either side of the wound.
As soon as you can, place a sterile dressing over the wound and bandage it. If the bleeding continues place another absorbent dressing on top of the original, and apply another bandage.
If bleeding is severe and will not stop call for an ambulance urgently.
