How to managed bleeding?

Answer 1

Unless your patient is on an operating table and you have special equipment, the main and best way to control bleeding is: DIRECT PRESSURE This means pressing on the area that's bleeding firmly enough to stop the blood flow until clotting and vasocontriction set in to help. Direct pressure can control almost any bleed. Bleeds that direct pressure can't control present a problem fort any method. To perform a direct pressure bleed control, take a large sponge (or whatever's handy if you're not a first responder -- a towel or blanket, etc.), and press against the part of the wound that's bleeding most freely. If you can, you may press about the point of bleeding to compress the vessels there. Don't worry if the cloth becomes saturated -- just leave it in place and cover it with another cloth, if you have one.. You can gently lift the cloth to inspect the wound, but don't remove the pressure bandage. It's better to press too hard than too lightly. For vascular bleeds (veins and arteries) you may bave to press with your fingertips. For other wounds, palms or hands work. As you're doing this, bear in mind that blood is a hazardous material. Ideally, you'll need gloves, a gown and a facemask. Do the best you can. If you don't have all that with you, improvise. Other methods that may be used on their own or in conjunction with direct pressure are: * Elevating the wound above the level of the heart -- if practical this works well.

* Compressing Pressure points -- this means pressing on areas where blood vessels cross over hard processes like bones, in areas that lie between the bleeding wound and the heart. Note that, once touted as a standard method, most agencies do not use direct pressure much anymore unless direct pressure isnt' solving things. It deprives blood from other areas, and is just as hard (if not harder) to control than direct pressure.

* Tourquinets. The ideal tourniquet is a flat, plaint band that can be tied between the wound and the heart, and tighted down by hand or with a windlass tie. This cmpresses all blood vessels above the wound and thus can stopt he flow of blood. Note that Tourniquets are extremely dangerous in that they can allow infected blood to pool and infect more, as well as lethally deprive tissues of much needed oxygen. The rule is, tie a tourniquet if the bleeding is so bad you're willing to sacrifice the limb. If you DO tourniquet, you shouldn't leave the patient alone, but you should not remove the tourniquet -- this will be done by the ER team. If you can't stay with the patient, you might mark their forehead with a cross or an "X" and the time you applied the tourniquet.

* Other methods -- cauterization, suturing, etc. are outside the realm of First Aid.

One last thought: I've Never had to tourniquet a wound. Direct Pressure can take care of almost anything. If you absolutely can't stop bleeding any other way, then follow ht cautions above -- but be sure.