Serious Bleeding and Bandaging
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Dealing with Bleeding: First Aid Guide
Introduction
Bleeding, resulting from injuries, can be both life-threatening and distressing. This guide offers essential steps for first aid responders to effectively manage bleeding incidents.
Stay Calm and Trust Your Training
Remember that bleeding may appear more severe than it actually is; maintaining composure is vital.
Use Protective Gloves
Before addressing the bleed, ensure you are wearing gloves to protect yourself from potential infection.
Direct Pressure
Direct pressure is the initial step in controlling serious bleeding:
- Apply pressure over the wound using your gloved hand or have the patient apply pressure if possible.
- This helps reduce blood loss and promotes clotting.
Pressure Bandage
For cuts, consider applying a sterile pressure bandage:
- Ensure the bandage is not expired.
- Open the packaging and reveal the bandage with a gauze pad.
- Place the bandage over the wound, ensuring the dressing pad covers it.
- If there's an embedded object, do not remove it.
Proper Dressing Application
When applying the dressing:
- Use your gloved hand to apply direct pressure and ask the patient for assistance if available.
- Position the patient comfortably to prevent fainting.
- If necessary, call for an ambulance or do so after dressing application.
- Apply the dressing distally (furthest from the heart) towards the body to avoid forcing blood past the wound.
- Apply enough pressure to stop bleeding without cutting off circulation.
- If blood soaks through, replace the dressing, check the wound, and reapply as needed.
Assess Circulation
After dressing application, check circulation by squeezing a fingertip to test capillary refill.
Additional Considerations
For cuts to other parts of the body:
- Apply direct pressure with a dressing pad or use bandaging if applicable.
In cases of severe bleeding:
- Address shock concerns by laying the patient down and elevating their legs, if possible.