Treating a bleeding injury involves stopping the blood flow while protecting yourself and the injured person. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Ensure Safety:
- Protect yourself: Put on disposable gloves if available to prevent the spread of infection.
- Protect the injured person: Move the injured person away from any hazards if possible.
2. Apply Direct Pressure:
- Use a clean dressing: If possible, use a clean pad, sterile dressing, or cloth.
- Apply direct pressure: Place the dressing directly on the wound and apply firm, continuous pressure with your hand.
- Maintain pressure: Continue applying pressure until the bleeding stops. This may take several minutes. Do not lift the dressing to check if the bleeding has stopped; if the dressing becomes soaked with blood, apply another dressing on top of the first one and continue applying pressure.
3. Elevate the Injury (If Possible):
- Raise the injured area: If the injury is on a limb, elevate it above the heart to help reduce blood flow. This is only effective in conjunction with direct pressure and should only be done if it doesn't cause further injury.
4. Bandage the Wound:
- Apply a bandage: Once the bleeding has stopped, use a clean dressing or any clean, soft material to bandage the wound firmly. Make sure the bandage is not too tight, as this can cut off circulation.
- Check circulation: Check the area below the bandage for signs of decreased circulation, such as numbness, tingling, or paleness.
5. Seek Medical Attention:
- When to seek help: Seek immediate medical attention if:
- The bleeding is severe or does not stop after applying direct pressure for 15-20 minutes.
- The wound is deep or involves an artery (spurting blood).
- The injury involves the head, chest, or abdomen.
- There are signs of shock (pale skin, rapid pulse, weakness).
- A foreign object is embedded in the wound.
- The person has other serious injuries or medical conditions.
- You are unsure about how to treat the injury.
6. Dealing with Embedded Objects:
- Do not remove the object: If there is an object embedded in the wound, do not remove it. Instead, apply pressure around the object to control the bleeding and stabilize the object in place until medical help arrives.
Summary: The immediate treatment for a bleeding injury centers on applying direct pressure to the wound to stem the flow of blood. Elevating the injury (if feasible), securing the wound with a bandage, and promptly seeking medical attention for severe cases are also crucial steps.
