Bleeding

If someone is bleeding, here are the steps you can take to provide first aid:

Call for emergency medical services immediately. If the bleeding is severe, call 112 or your local emergency number right away.

Apply pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or bandage. If the bleeding is severe, you may need to apply pressure directly with your hands.

Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart, if possible. This will help to slow down the bleeding.

If the bleeding is severe, you may need a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. However, tourniquets should only be used as a last resort and should only be applied by someone who has been trained to use them properly.

Once the bleeding has stopped, clean the wound with soap and water, if possible. Cover the wound with a sterile bandage or dressing to help prevent infection.

Remember, the most important thing to do is to call for emergency medical services as quickly as possible. Severe bleeding can be life-threatening, so it's important to get medical help immediately.

• Severe bleeding involves the loss of a large amount of blood
• This may occur externally through natural openings, like mouth
• A cut on the skin too can lead to bleeding
• Internal bleeding occurs due to an injury to a blood vessel

Causes

• Accidents/Falls
• Blow to the head
• Injuries, like scalp wounds
• Tooth Extraction
• Certain medications like aspirin
• Illnesses like
  • Hemophilia
  • Scurvy
  • Cancer
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • A plastic Anemia
  • Leukemia
  • Hemorrhage
  • Peptic Ulcer
  • Platelet Disorder
  • Liver Disease
  • Septicemia

Symptoms

• Discharge of blood from a wound
• Bleeding after bruising
• Blood in stool/urine
• Blood coming from other areas, like mouth/ear

First Aid

• Wash hands well before administering to a patient
• Wear synthetic gloves
• Make the victim lie down
• Slightly elevate the legs
• If possible keep the affected area elevated
• Remove any apparent debris/particle
• Apply direct pressure using a clean cloth/bandage
• Use your hand if the cloth is not available
• Apply pressure continuously for at least 20 minutes
• Do not remove the cloth to check the bleeding
• Hold the bandage in place using adhesive tape
• If bleeding seeps through the bandage, do not remove it
• Add extra bandage on top of the first one
• Apply direct pressure on the artery if necessary
• The pressure points for the arm below armpit/above the elbow

For leg--behind knee/near groin

• Squeeze the artery keeping the finger flat
• Continue applying pressure on the wound
• Once the bleeding stops immobilize the affected part
• See a doctor