Severe Bleeding - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

Overview

• Severe bleeding involves loss of large amount of blood 
• This may occur externally through natural openings, like mouth 
• A cut on the skin too can lead to bleeding 
• Internal bleeding occurs due to an injury to blood vessel 

Causes

• Accidents/Falls 
• Blow to the head 
• Injuries, like scalp wounds 
• Tooth Extraction 
• Certain medications 
• Illnesses like
1. Hemophilia
2. Scurvy
3. Cancer
4. Thrombocytopenia
5. A plastic Anemia
6. Leukemia
7. Hemorrhage
8. Peptic Ulcer
9. Platelet Disorder
10. Liver Disease
11. Septicemia

Symptoms

• Discharge of blood from a wound 
• Bruising 
• Blood in stool/urine 
• Blood coming from other areas, like mouth/ear 

Treatment

• Wash hands well before administering to patient 
• Wear synthetic gloves 
• Make the victim lie down 
• Slightly elevate the legs 
• If possible keep the affected area elevated 
• Remove any obvious debris/particle 
• Apply direct pressure using clean cloth/bandage 
• Use hand if cloth is not available 
• Apply pressure continuously for at least 20 minutes 
• Do not remove the cloth to check the bleeding 
• Hold the bandage in place using an adhesive tape 
• If bleeding seeps through bandage, do not remove it 
• Add extra bandage on top of the first one 
• Apply direct pressure on the artery if necessary 
• The pressure points for arm--below arm- pit/above elbow 
• For leg--behind knee/near groin 
• Squeeze the artery keeping finger flat 
• Continue applying pressure on the wound 
• Once bleeding stops immobilize the affected part 
• See a doctor 

Consult a doctor

• If bleeding does not stop 
• If bleeding occurs through nose, ears etc 
• Coughing up blood 
• Vomiting 
• Bruising/deep wounds 
• Abdominal tenderness 
• Fracture 
• Shock 

Steps To Avoid

• Do not try to replace a displaced organ 
• Just cover the wound with a clean cloth 
• Do not try to remove an embedded object