There are situations when people get injured and end up bleeding. You have to act fast to prevent much loss of blood by providing first aid to the victim. If there is a heavy loss of blood, the person needs emergency care immediately. Acute loss of blood can send the person into shock and can even get fatal. Minor bruises and cuts may just need first aid to stop the bleeding, but deep injuries may need medical intervention and treatment.

First-aid tips to stop bleeding

• If a cloth covers the wound, it is better to remove the clothing and clean the wound. Cleaning the wound with an antiseptic wearing disposable gloves to prevent contamination is the first thing you need to do. In case, you don’t find gloves handy, wash your hand thoroughly before touching the wound.
• Place a sterile bandage on the wound firmly with your palm to help control bleeding. Constant pressure (not too forcefully) on the wound will help bring the bleeding down. If you have a thick bandage or clean cloth to maintain the pressure on the wound, tie it around the affected area. However, putting pressure on the wound depends largely on the affected body part. If the victim experiences bleeding in his eye, then pressure cannot be used to stop bleeding. One should also look If any foreign particle is present in the wound before the pressure is asserted.
• The bandage or the cloth has to be secured on the wound with tape while continuing to apply pressure with your hands. You can raise the injured limb above the heart level (if possible).
• The injured should be in a laying position and covered with a rug or blanket as loss of blood can make the person shiver due to dropping body temperature.
• The first aid provider has to assure the person calmly not to panic and hence restrict further damages.
• If the blood seeps through the first gauze or bandage, don’t try to remove it but place another one right on it by pressing the area firmly.
• Immobilize the injured limb and don’t remove the bandage till the person gets to the emergency room.
• The first aid course trains how to use tourniquets to control life-threatening bleeding on the injured victim effectively.

As a first aid provider, you need to plug the wound as quickly as possible. As the clotting process begins, it proceeds to stop the blood flow. But when blood is flowing out of the wound, the coagulation process cannot begin; hence you have to stop the flow by applying pressure on the wound. The use of gauze pads allows the blood to stay onto the wound, helping the blood components stick together to begin the clotting process.

To prevent the bleeding from resuming again, don’t change the gauze just because it’s soaked. Add another layer of gauze or cloth to the existing one till emergency services arrive. Lay down or raise the injured limb to prevent the work of gravity in allowing the blood to gush out faster. Applying direct pressure will slow the blood pushing up and out.