Severe Bleeding
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Where a casualty may have sustained other injuries from an accident, the first aider needs to be aware of the potential dangers from blood loss and the correct treatment required.If a casualty has sustained injury, they may have external or internal bleeding
External injuries include
- Abrasions
- Amputation
- Incision
- Laceration
- Puncture
The treatment for bleeding is (for severe bleeding call an ambulance immediately)
- Wear gloves, if possible, to prevent infection
- Apply direct pressure to the wound with a pad or gauze
- Bandage padding to the limb
- Elevate wound above the heart
- If bandaging becomes completely blood soaked, apply another bandage over the top
If bleeding injuries are not treated promptly, the casualty can develop signs or symptoms of shock. Shock is a life threatening condition and should be treated as top priority, second only attending to safety, obstructed airway, absent breathing, sudden cardiac arrest or severe life threatening bleeding.