First Aid For
Bleeding

This page will give you information on first aid for bleeding, severe bleeding and internal bleeding. You're first duty is to stop the bleeding while trying to prevent infection. Here's how to do it.

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First Aid for Minor Bleeding

• Wash you hands with soap and water or liquid hand sanitizer.
• Gently wash wound with soap and water.
• Place a sterile gauze over the wound and apply pressure to stop bleeding.
• If blood soaks through the gauze replace with new gauze.
• If possible elevate the injury above the heart.
• When bleeding stops apply an antibacterial ointment.
• Cover wound with bandage to reduce chances of infection.

First Aid for Severe Bleeding

• If you have time wash your hands and put on synthetic gloves.
• Have the person lie down. If possible elevate the lower body higher than the head. This reduces the chance of shock.
• If you can, raise the injury above the heart.
• Lightly remove any dirt or debris. DO NOT remove any embedded objects or probe the wound.
• Using a sterile dressing apply pressure to the wound. Use a cloth, towel or even your hand if gauze is not available.
• Hold continual pressure on the wound for at least 20 minutes. Resist the urge to lift up the gauze and check to see if the wound has stopped bleeding.
• If the bleeding will not stop DO NOT remove pressure or the gauze. Instead add more gauze or material on top of it.
• If the bleeding will not stop you can apply direct pressure to the artery delivering blood to the wound. The major pressure points are:
  For the Arm:
  • The inside of the arm just above the elbow below the armpit.
  
  For the Leg:
  • In the groin and just behind the knee.
  Squeeze the main artery against the bone in these parts of the body. Use flat fingers on the artery and continue to apply pressure to the wound with your other hand.

First Aid for Internal Bleeding

Signs of internal bleeding:

• Bleeding from ear, nose, rectum or vagina.
• Coughing up blood or blood found in vomit.
• Abdominal pain, tenderness, rigidity or spasms in the abdomen.
• Bruising on neck, abdomen, chest or the side of the body between ribs and hip.
• Any wound that has penetrated the chest, skull or the abdomen.
• Fractures.
• Shock (Cold, pale skin. Weakness. Anxiety. Shallow breathing. Thirst.)