Hemorrhage refers to the loss of blood from the blood vessels of the body. If someone has been injured and is bleeding, it is important to take action quickly to stop the bleeding. In most cases, you should be able to keep it under control without too much difficulty. In severe cases, however, uncontrolled or intense bleeding can lead to shock, circulation problems, or even damage to tissues and organs, which can be fatal. Follow the steps in this article.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Minor Injuries
Step 1. Use water
Running water not only cleans the wound but helps stop bleeding. Run cold water over the cut to constrict blood vessels and stop bleeding. The same procedure performed with very hot water cauterizes the wound and causes the blood to clot. Do not use both, both hot and cold water: one of them is sufficient to solve the problem.
- You can use ice cubes instead of water to close the blood vessel. Hold the ice for a couple of seconds until the wound closes and the blood stops flowing.
- If you have several small cuts all over your body, take a hot shower to wash off the blood and cauterize all wounds simultaneously.
Step 2. Apply pressure to the cut
After cleaning the cut, press it with a clean paper towel or gauze for several minutes, then check to see if the bleeding has stopped.
If blood gets through the handkerchief or gauze, replace it with a clean, dry one
Step 3. Use a hemostat
These wax pencils were born for razor cuts and abrasions, but they work great on all small wounds. Rub the pencil into your skin and let the astringent minerals take effect. You will feel a little stinging on contact, but after a couple of seconds the pain and bleeding will disappear.
Step 4. Put some petroleum jelly
Its waxy consistency allows you to stop small bleeding and close the wound, if applied in small quantities. You can also use regular lip balm if you don't have petroleum jelly on hand.
Step 5. Rub an antiperspirant product
Just like the hemostat, your deodorant contains aluminum chloride, which acts as an astringent and stops the blood. Put a small amount on your fingers and pat the wound, or (if you have a stick deodorant) rub it directly into the skin.
Step 6. Dab with aftershave
Pour some directly on the wound or use a soaked cotton ball. You should notice a decrease in bleeding after a minute or two.
Step 7. Try alum
It looks like a piece of soap, but is actually made up of minerals that help stop bleeding. Moisten the alum block and gently rub it into the cut. There is no need to pressure, the minerals will act on their own.
Step 8. Apply white vinegar
The astringent properties of vinegar help disinfect small cuts. Dab the wound with a cotton ball dipped in vinegar and wait for it to stop bleeding.
Step 9. Try witch hazel
The action is similar to that of vinegar, as witch hazel is astringent. Pour some directly onto the wound or onto a cotton ball.
Step 10. Put some corn starch
Dust the wound with cornstarch, but do not rub, to avoid further abrasion. You can press the powder lightly to speed up the process. When no more blood comes out, use running water to clean the wound.
Step 11. Use a spider web
This is good advice if you are hiking. Take some cobwebs (no spider though!) And put them on the wound; if necessary, roll them around the limb. The cloth blocks the blood flow and gives the wound time to close internally.
Step 12. Cover the cut
Put on a sterile bandage to help the wound close and to protect it from dirt. You can use a simple plaster or sterile gauze.
Part 2 of 3: Serious Injuries
Step 1. Have the person lie down
It helps to decrease the likelihood of a shock by raising the legs or placing the head below the level of the chest. Check the victim's breathing and circulation before proceeding.
Read this article to learn how to recognize and manage the symptoms of shock
Step 2. Lift the injured limb
If possible, the wound should be higher than the heart to reduce bleeding. However, if you suspect there is also a fracture, do not try to move the limb.
Step 3. Remove the debris
Clean the wound of any visible foreign bodies, but don't do it too deeply to avoid aggravating the situation. Your priority is to stop the bleeding. Wound cleaning can wait.
If the foreign body is large (a large piece of glass, a knife or the like), do not remove it. There are many possibilities that it is stopping the bleeding. Apply pressure with a bandage around the foreign body, making sure it does not penetrate further
Step 4. Apply direct, steady pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops
Use a clean gauze pad, cloth, or dress. You can also just use your hands if you don't have anything available. Place your hands over the tampon and keep pressure on the wound.
Step 5. Maintain constant pressure
If the wound is on a limb you can use a dress or duct tape as a compression bandage (a cloth folded in a triangle is best). For the groin and areas that cannot be bandaged use your hands to hold.
Step 6. Check the gauze
If the first one is too soaked in blood, add more. But do not create layers of bandages, there is a risk that the force of the compression will decrease. If you are concerned that the bandage is not effective, remove it and replace it with a better one. Even if you feel the bleeding is under control, don't stop holding the wound until help arrives, unless you are more than sure the bleeding has stopped.
Step 7. Use pressure points as needed
If you can't stop the bleeding by pressing directly on the wound, try stimulating precise compression points at the same time. Use your fingers to press the blood vessel against the bone. Typically the most useful points are the following:
- The brachial artery, for wounds below the elbow. It runs on the inside of the arm between the armpit and the elbow.
- The femoral artery, for thigh injuries. It runs along the groin near the line of the slip.
- The popliteal artery, for wounds below the knee. You can find it behind the knee.
Step 8. Continue to apply pressure until the bleeding stops or until medical personnel arrive
- Do not apply pressure to an artery for more than 5 minutes after the bleeding has stopped.
- Use a tourniquet if the bleeding is life-threatening. Tourniquets usually stop bleeding immediately if applied correctly, but misuse can harm the patient.
Step 9. Check the victim's airways and breathing regularly
Check that the bandages are not too tight; if the victim is very pale and has cold skin, the fingers and toes do not regain their color after pressing, or the victim feels tingling or aching, the bandages are likely to be too tight.
Part 3 of 3: Internal Bleeding
Step 1. Call an ambulance as soon as possible
Get the victim to the hospital as quickly as possible. Internal bleeding cannot be treated at home and medical intervention is required. Symptoms of internal bleeding can include:
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Low blood pressure.
- Cold, sweaty skin.
- Dizziness or a sense of confusion.
- Pain and inflammation in the injury area.
- Irritation on the skin.
Step 2. Keep the victim calm, rest and prevent further injury
Don't make her move, and if you can, make her lie down.
Step 3. Check the casualty's airways, breathing and circulation
Treat external bleeding as noted above, if any.
Step 4. Keep the victim at the right body temperature
Avoid getting too hot or too cold and apply water-soaked cloths to her forehead.
Advice
- DO NOT check under the bandage to verify that the bleeding has stopped. If the bandages are soaked in blood, the wound is probably still bleeding. Instead, keep applying pressure.
- Arterial bleeding requires more specific pressure on the leaking blood vessel than venous ones. You may need to press your fingertips on the place where the blood flows. This is due to the high blood pressure inside the arteries. If you have arterial bleeding, seek medical help right away.
- If you have them on hand, put on latex or rubber gloves before coming into contact with another person's blood. You can also use plastic bags if you don't have anything else available.
- For severe bleeding, call for help or ask someone to do it as soon as possible.
- If the victim takes blood thinners, it will take longer to stop the bleeding. Check that you are not wearing a bracelet that indicates that you are taking this type of medication.
- If a person has sustained a severe injury to the abdomen, do not reposition the organs. Cover them with a bandage until rescued by experienced medical personnel.
Warnings
- As mentioned in the article, it is not recommended to use a tourniquet. However, in the case of very severe injuries or amputated limbs, it may be necessary to use it to save a life. However, keep in mind that it could irreparably compromise a limb.
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To prevent the transmission of diseases between you and the victim it is important to take specific precautions:
- Use a barrier between the blood and your skin. Wear gloves (preferably non-latex, to prevent complications from allergies), or a clean piece of cloth.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after assisting the victim. Use a sink that is not intended for food preparation.
- Do not drink or eat and do not touch your face until you have washed your hands.
