Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

7 Bleeding, Wound Care and Trauma

Controlling Bleeding The body has several mechanisms to control bleeding. When blood is exposed to air, it begins to thicken and harden. This is called the clotting process . To aid clotting, damaged blood vessels can constrict temporarily, reducing blood flow and allowing the clot to form. Controlling external bleeding is often very simple. Apply direct pressure with a gloved hand and then, as you are able, continue pressure on a sterile dressing over the wound. This will control most bleeding. All but the very worst bleeding can be controlled with direct pressure and first aid for shock. Appling direct pressure directly to the wound compresses the blood vessels, reducing the flow of blood and allowing clots to form.

Signs and Symptoms Severe external bleeding

• Blood loss greater than 450ml • Pulsing, jetting, arterial blood or large venous bleeding Signs and symptoms of shock including:

• No distal pulses in arms or legs • Laboured or irregular breathing • Mottled, ashen, or cyanotic skin • Altered level of consciousness

Severe blood loss will result in the heart not having enough blood to perfuse all of the body. Shock will develop as body systems begin to shut down. If the bleeding is not stopped, the patient will die within minutes. Placing the patient at rest and keeping them reassured and protected reduces the demand on the body’s systems and slows the effects of blood loss.

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