BSA Troop 883 > First Aid Guides & Checklists > First Aid Guide: Bleeding

First Aid Guide: Bleeding

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All About Bleeding
Major bleeding may be a life-threatening condition requiring immediate attention. Bleeding may be external or internal. Bleeding may be from:

  • ARTERY: carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart throughout the body
    ARTERIAL bleeding is characterized by spurts with each beat of the heart, is bright red in color (although darkens when as exposed to the air) and is usually severe and hard to control. ARTERIAL bleeding requires immediate attention!
  • VEIN: carries blood back to the heart to be oxygenated
    VENUS bleeding is characterized by a steady flow and the blood is dark, almost maroon in shade. Venus bleeding is easier to control than Arterial bleeding.
  • CAPILLARY: the smallest of our body’s blood vessels
    CAPILLARY bleeding is usually slow, oozing in nature and this type of bleeding usually has a higher risk of infection than other types of bleeding.

Stopping the Bleeding

  1. Gently rinse the wound with tap/room-temperature, clean water and remove any dirt, debris, or objects if possible – this will help prevent infection. If serious and bleeding profusely and life-threatening, you may have to skip this.
  2. Apply DIRECT PRESSURE on the wound. Use a dressing (gauze), if available. If a dressing is not available, use a rag, towel, piece of clothing or your hand alone if necessary.
  3. If bleeding continues, and you do not suspect a fracture, ELEVATE the wound above the level of the heart and continue to apply direct pressure.
  4. If the bleeding still cannot be controlled, the next step is to apply PRESSURE AT A PRESSURE POINT. For wounds of the arms or hands, pressure points are located on the inside of the wrist ( radial artery-where a pulse is checked) or on the inside of the upper arm (brachial artery). For wounds of the legs, the pressure point is at the crease in the groin (femoral artery). Steps 2 and 3 should be continued with use of the pressure points.
  5. The final step to control bleeding is to apply a PRESSURE BANDAGE over the wound. Note the distinction between a dressing and a bandage. A dressing may be a gauze square applied directly to a wound, while a bandage, such as roll gauze, bandage, or medical tape, is used to hold a dressing in place. Pressure should be used in applying the bandage. After the bandage is in place, it is important to check the pulse to make sure circulation is not interrupted. A slow pulse rate, or bluish fingertips or toes, signal a bandage may be impeding circulation.

Tips
– When faced with the need to control major bleeding, it is not important that the dressings you will use are sterile if such is unavailable! use whatever you have at hand and work fast!
– Capillary bleeding may be slowed or stopped using cold packs, wrapped ice, etc. The cold causes capillaries to contract, thus helping slow or stop the bleeding.