Severe Bleeding

Severe or excessive bleeding can be caused by various factors like gashes, cuts, tears and other injuries. A person who is bleeding excessively can die within five minutes, so it's imperative to stop blood loss as soon as possible.

Even a minor injury can result in severe external bleeding, depending on where it is on the body. This can lead to shock, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. In medical terms, shock means the injured person no longer has enough blood circulating around their body.

What to do with someone having severe bleeding

When managing severe external bleeding, you must take specific steps to provide effective first aid. First, assess your environment and primary survey to ensure your safety. If the situation appears dangerous, stay back and wait for paramedics to arrive. Once you've confirmed the area is safe, proceed with a secondary survey to deliver first aid.

Follow the steps given below when dealing with severe bleeding

• Check for danger before approaching the injured person. Put on a pair of gloves, nitrile ones, if available.

• If possible, send someone else to call the emergency helpline for an ambulance.

• Lie the person down. If a limb is injured, raise the injured area above the level of the person's heart (if possible).

• Get the person to apply direct pressure to the wound with their hand or hands to stem the blood flow. If the person can't do it, apply direct pressure yourself.

• You may need to pull the wound's edges together before applying a gauze pad and dressing. Make sure you secure it firmly with a bandage.

• If an object is embedded in the wound, do not remove it.

• If blood saturates the initial dressing, do not remove it. Add fresh padding over the top and secure with a bandage.

When to seek emergency help

If the wound is deep, it is recommended that you call 999 immediately while making sure you don't touch or move the person. It may result in bleeding out fast. You may move the person in a situation where you know you are avoiding further injury.

Treatment

What to do if despite following the given protocol the bleeding doesn't stop

If the bleeding is uncontrollable, there are many steps you can take to ensure the situation is under control. When dealing with severe bleeding, take the following first aid steps.

1. Wrap the wound with a thick bandage or clean cloth and tape. If possible, lift the wound above heart level.

2. Help the injured person lie down: If possible, place the person on a rug or blanket to prevent loss of body heat. Elevate the feet if you notice signs of shock, such as weakness, clammy skin or a rapid pulse. Calmly reassure the injured person.

3. Add more bandages as needed: If the blood seeps through the bandage, add more gauze or cloth to the existing bandage. Then keep pressing firmly on the area.

4. Tourniquets: A tourniquet effectively controls life-threatening bleeding from a limb. If needed, apply a commercially made tourniquet if it's available and you're trained to use it.When emergency help arrives, tell them how long the tourniquet has been in place.

5. Keep the person still: If you're waiting for emergency help, maintain a calm demeanor and keep the injured person from moving, moving can result in obstruction of the wound.

6. If you find yourself in a situation where there is no reception and you are unable to call for emergency help, immediately get the injured person to an emergency room.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. If a large object is embedded deep within the wound, do not try to pull it out.

2. Don't probe the wound.

3. Do not put pressure on an eye injury, especially if there is an object embedded.

4. Never apply pressure on a head wound; it could be a skull fracture.

5. Try not to use an improvised tourniquet, such as a scarf or a belt.

Learn How To Manage Emergency

Excessive bleeding can be life threatening, it can lead to the injured person going in shock. If the situation is not handled swiftly and efficiently it can even lead to death. Check out our comprehensive 3 day course designed to guide you through effective first aid techniques, learn how manage an emergency confidently and help save a life

Tips to remember

1. Call 999, the emergency helpline, as soon as you notice the injury is severe.

2. Use more gauze if the bleeding doesn't stop

3. Check the pulse

4. Make sure their limbs are elevated above the heart

5. Use a tourniquet only if necessary