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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