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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Controlling severe bIeeding

Stemming blood flow from a large wound is a life-saving procedure. The main method used combines pressure and elevation. Apply direct pressure to the site of the blood loss with your hand or the casualty's hand, unless the wound contains foreign matter such as glass. In this case, squeeze the edges of the wound together. Elevating the wounded area also helps to stem blood loss - even if a limb is fractured, your priority is to stop she bleeding, especially if it is heavy, and then worry about the fracture. However, try to handle fractured Iimbs gently.

Injury to an artery can lead to a life- threatening loss of blood in a very short time. Stemming the blood flow may save the casualty's life and is your main priority as a first-aider (once you have dealt with the casualty's ABC, that is).

With more superficial wounds, bleeding may sometimes seem profuse without, in fact, being too dangerous. Head wounds are a good case in point here. The scalp has a very rich blood supply, so head wounds often bleed profusely, even if they are quite superficial. Do not, however, automatically go to the other extreme and assume that it is not serious. Also, always try to assess any underlying damage especially important with head wounds.

Controlling bleeding on a head wound

Dealing with heavy bleeding from a head wound varies slightly in some details from tackling heavy bleeding from other sites (see text elsewhere on other types of wound).

If the casualty is unconscious, follow DRMBC before dealing with the wound - airway and breathing are top priority. Try to find the source of the bleeding remember that there may be more than one site. if the casualty is conscious, ask them to tell you all they can about what happened, to help your assessment.

To control bleeding, place firm pressure directly over the wound using a clean pad (a sterile first-aid dressing or a towel, sanitary towel, tea towel or T-shirt). Use gentle pressure if you suspect a fracture. Getting the casualty to lie down with head and shoulders raised (and supported) helps to reduce pressure within the head. Send for emergency help, if you have not already done so.

Secure the dressing with a roller bandage or equivalent. If the casualty's general condition seems good. sitting them up may reduce bleeding, but don't get them sitting up and lying down like a yo-yo. Make sure that the dressing covers the whole wound. If blood starts oozing through the dressing, don't take the original dressing off but place another one on top.

Stemming blood flow

The most effective method is applying direct pressure to the wound and, where possible, keeping the body part elevated gravity naturally lessens she flow. If an object is embedded in the wound, compress the edges on either side of the object. Stemming blood flow by applying pressure to main arteries is not advised for the average fast-aider - this can be tricky.

Bleeding may be copious in a head injury and you may be hampered by the person's hair. Apply a dressing larger than the wound, bandage it in place and get medical help rapidly. If a limb is bleeding heavily, elevate it to reduce the blood flow to the area. If the wound is on a leg, lift both legs to maximize blood flow to the casualty's vital organs, especially their brain. Even a fractured Iimb should be elevated if it is bleeding very profusely.

First aid for controlling severe bleeding

Look for the source of the bleeding. There may be more than one site.
Lay the person down. Elevate their legs, and the bleeding part if possible. Place firm pressure over the wound using a clean pad large enough to cover the whole wound area. For the pad, use a sterile first-aid dressing or improvise with a towel, sanitary towel, tea towel or T-shirt. Call the emergency services.

Secure your pad with a bandage or equivalent; make sure that the dressing covers the whole wound. If blood starts oozing through the dressing, don't take the original dressing off but place another dressing on top.

Thigh injuries

A cut on the thigh can easily sever an artery with life-threatening results. The use of very sharp knives by butchers thigh". The artery nunning down the front of the thigh is close to the skin's surface. If the butcher's knife slips and cuts through this artery, rapid and sometimes fatal blood loss follows. Many butchers have bled to death in this way over the centuries. These days, however, the injury is more likely to be caused by knives used in crafts or DIY.