Severe Bleeding
Severe bleeding can kill in minutes. The principle is simple: apply direct pressure and don't let go. Tourniquets are back in favour for limb injuries, they save lives when direct pressure isn't enough.
Official St John Ambulance guide. Covers direct pressure and tourniquets.
Apply pressure HARD with whatever you have, a T-shirt, scarf, your bare hand. Don't worry about sterile dressings, stopping the blood comes first.
Don't remove the first dressing if it soaks through, add more on top. Removing it disturbs any clotting that's started.
If blood is spurting (arterial bleed), this is life-threatening. Call 999 immediately and apply pressure above the wound.
Keep the casualty warm. Blood loss causes hypothermia rapidly. Cover them with a coat or blanket.
Call 999 if the bleeding is severe
Apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth, clothing, or your hand
Press HARD. Maintain constant pressure, do not lift to check
If a limb: elevate the injured limb above the level of the heart (if possible without causing more pain)
If blood soaks through the dressing, add more material on top, do NOT remove the first layer
If direct pressure isn't controlling a limb bleed, apply a tourniquet above the wound, tighten until bleeding stops
Note the time the tourniquet was applied, paramedics need this information
Keep the casualty warm, calm, and lying down. Monitor breathing until help arrives
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