Red Cross First Aid Bleeding

Master first aid for bleeding! Learn to stop severe wounds fast with pressure, tourniquets & more.

Read Chapter 8 in the Responding to Emergencies textbook. You can find it in Canvas in the Bleeding Module. As you read, fill in the notes. First Aid Chapter 8 BleedingOne of the most important things you can do in any emergency is recognize and control life-threatening bleeding. Check for bleeding while conducting your scene size up and making your initial impression. *If life-threatening bleeding is found, control the bleeding with any resources that are immediately available.External bleeding is easy to recognize, but internal bleeding is less obvious.A large amount of bleeding in a short time is called a hemorrhageAssessmentInterview the person – ask questions using the mnemonic SAMPLE S – signs and symptoms A – allergies M – medications P – pertinent medical history L – last food or drink E – events leading up to the incidentNext perform a head to toe checkExternal Bleeding 1. Arteries – blood often spurts from the wound and is usually bright red in color. This type of injury is considered life threatening 2. Veins – blood flows steadily and is usually dark red or purple in color 3. Capillaries – blood oozes and is usually pale red in colorCaring for Minor Open Wounds 1. Check the scene, then check the victim 2. Get consent and put on PPE 3. Apply direct pressure with a gauze pad until the bleeding stops 4. Wash the area with soap and warm water 5. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandageCaring for Major Open Wounds *1. Call 911, then take steps to control the bleeding until help arrives *2. Put on PPE and apply direct pressure with a gauze pad until bleeding stops 3. If blood soaks through, apply another dressing and more pressure *4. Do not remove the blood-soaked bandages 5. When the bleeding stops, check the skin on the side of the injury farthest from the heart for feeling, warmth, and color (the Red Cross way to say check circulation) *6. Apply a bandage to maintain pressure 7. Recheck circulation 8. If there is a change, for example the skin is cooler, paler, blue, or if the person complains of a numb or tingly feeling, the bandage is too tight and needs to be loosenedApplying a TourniquetA tourniquet is a device applied around an arm or leg to constrict blood vessels and stop blood flowYou may need to use a tourniquet to control bleeding if 1. Severe, life threatening bleeding cannot be controlled with direct pressure 2. The location makes it impossible to apply pressure 3. Multiple people with life threatening injuries need care 4. To apply a tourniquet: 1. Place the tourniquet around the wounded extremity about 2 inches above the wound, avoiding the joint if possible 2. Twist the rod to tighten the tourniquet until the bleeding stops 3. Record the time and give it to EMS when they arrive, it should not be removed until the person reaches a healthcare facilityUsing Hemostatic DressingsA hemostatic dressing is treated with a substance that speeds clot formationUse it on body parts where a tourniquet cannot be applied, such as the neck or torsoIt should be applied at the site of the bleeding (possibly inside the wound) and is used along with direct pressure*Anytime a wound continues to bleed and you've done all you can, consider using a tourniquet or a hemostatic dressing!Internal BleedingCan be a consequence of traumatic injury and may be life threateningIt is commonly caused by 1. Blunt trauma, which may include falls, motor vehicle accidents, or being struck by a blunt object 2. Crushing forces, when a person's body is squeezed 3. Penetrating trauma like a knife or bullet can also lead to internal bleedingInternal bleeding is not always obvious because the bleeding is contained, and there are often more visible injuriesIt sometimes takes hours or days to reveal itselfIt should be considered any time there is a traumatic injury*Signs and Symptoms of Internal Bleeding 1. As a result of blood loss, the person may show signs and symptoms of shock 2. The person may cough or vomit blood *3. The abdomen is tender, swollen, hard and may be bruised 4. If the bleeding is occurring in a limb, it may be blue or extremely pale, swollen and rigidFirst Aid Care for Internal BleedingCall 911 and give first aid care for shock until help arrives