Safety First: Learn How to Stop Severe Bleeding

 

Most people's immediate reaction in an emergency is to contact 911. It is a key reaction that should never be disregarded – but are you ready to offer basic first aid for yourself or another wounded person in the moments before assistance arrives?

We think that everyone should be familiar with basic first aid techniques to care for themselves or others who are hurt in an emergency. Even if you're fortunate enough to be able to contact an ambulance that is just moments away, every minute counts in an emergency.

Learning how to stop serious bleeding before expert medical aid comes may make a big difference in a person's capacity to recover, and in extreme cases.

Examine The Wound

Stay calm and begin by looking for the source of the person's bleeding. This will allow you to evaluate if they have many wounds that need to be handled and if the wounds are deep enough to require compression.

Life-threatening wounds will spit blood, bleed continually, or soak through garments.

Try To Stop the Bleeding

Cover the wound with a clean cloth, or use whatever cloth you have on hand, such as a scarf or t-shirt. Press down the bandage against your hand. Keep on putting constant pressure on the wound until it stops bleeding.

Note that you don't have to clean the wound or remove the cause of bleeding, i.e., a glass, embedded nail, or metal rod. And don't put direct pressure on the embedded wound.

Raise The Injured Limb

Ask the patient to lay down, offer assistance if necessary, and lift and support the damaged limb above the heart; blood loss will be reduced. Raise their legs to reduce or prevent shock symptoms.

Use a Tourniquet

A tourniquet is a device that can be used to stop severe bleeding from a leg or arm. If you've been instructed to do so, apply a tourniquet. After help arrives, describe the method of tourniquet application and the duration you have applied for.

Get Yourself Registered in First Aid Training

 

Even though this is a basic guide to aid in treating extreme blood loss, there is still much more to understand to give prompt medical aid in any emergency. If you become a first aider, you will be able to save a life of a stranger on the street, a family member, a friend, or a co-worker.

If you want to ensure the safety of your family, friends, or other people, you should consider receiving first aid training. Metro Safety is the leading provider of first aid training in Richmond, Surrey, Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Vancouver. Get in touch with them to know more about their emergency first aid training in British Columbia.