Emergencies

Severe Bleeding — First Aid

2025-09-13

Intro

Severe bleeding (hemorrhage) is a life-threatening emergency. Without rapid control, a person can lose critical blood volume within minutes. Knowing how to apply basic first aid before professional help arrives can save lives.

Key Points

• Severe bleeding can be fatal in under 5 minutes.
• Apply direct pressure immediately with a clean cloth or your hand.
• Call emergency services right away.
• If bleeding doesn’t stop, apply a tourniquet (limb only).
• Keep the person calm and still to slow blood loss.

Warning Signs

• Blood that won’t stop with pressure
• Spurting or pulsating blood (arterial bleeding)
• Large pools of blood or soaked clothing/bandages
• Signs of shock: pale, clammy skin, rapid pulse, confusion

First Aid Steps

1. Call emergency services immediately.
2. Apply firm, direct pressure on the wound using a clean cloth, bandage, or your hand.
3. If possible, raise the injured limb above heart level.
4. If bleeding continues:
   • Keep pressure constant.
   • Add more bandages on top (don’t remove soaked ones).
   • Apply a tourniquet if trained and bleeding is life-threatening.
5. Monitor for shock: lay the person down, keep them warm, reassure them.

Tourniquet Use

• Place 5–7 cm (2–3 inches) above the wound, not on a joint.
• Tighten until bleeding stops.
• Note the time — medical teams need to know how long it’s been in place.
• Only use when direct pressure fails and bleeding is life-threatening.

Risks and Prognosis

• Quick first aid greatly improves survival.
• Delay in controlling bleeding leads to shock, organ failure, and death.
• Even if bleeding is controlled, urgent medical care is required to repair damage and prevent infection.

FAQ

Q: What if I don’t have a bandage?
A: Use any clean cloth, clothing, or even your hand with firm pressure.

Q: Should I remove soaked bandages?
A: No — place additional layers on top. Removing them may restart bleeding.

Q: Can bleeding stop on its own?
A: Minor bleeding may, but severe bleeding will not. Always treat as an emergency.

Further Reading

• Red Cross — Severe Bleeding First Aid
• St John Ambulance — Severe Bleeding

Related Guides

• Emergencies — Guide Hub
• Chest Pain: When to Call 911 vs Wait for a Doctor
• Anaphylaxis — Severe Allergic Reaction
• CPR — First Aid Guide (coming soon)

References

World Health Organization. (2020). Basic emergency care: Approach to the acutely ill and injured.

⚠️ Educational only; not a substitute for professional medical training or advice. Always call emergency services immediately in cases of severe bleeding.

• #first aid
• #bleeding
• #hemorrhage
• #emergency
• #trauma