First Aid for Severe Bleeding: A Step-by-Step Guide

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.