How does a paramedic stop bleeding?

Answer 1

This question is a bit broad, so I'll have to split it into 2 answers.

First Aid can be done by anyone. First Aid to control bleedling mainly consists of:

• elevating the cut area (example, if a cut hand, elevate it above the level of the heart;; if a nose bleed, lower the head.
• applying pressure, especially for arterial bleeding; pressure can often stop venous blood flow, but pressure on arterial bleeds is mostly so the person doesn't lose a lot of blood or bleed out
• Applying ice to small wounds -- ice constricts blood flow
• Applying a dressing to a small wound
• Tourniquet for large wounds with arterial blood spurting

Paramedics do the same First Aid measures, but paramedics also start an intravenous (IV) solution to help pump up fluid volume when a person is bleeding heavily. IV helps prevent or control shock from massive blood loss and IVs protect vital organs like heart, kidneys and brain. Paramedics also usually have standing orders for certain types of medications that can be added to an IV - meds that help the heart pump better during massive blood loss.