| name: | Bleeding |
| also known as: | External Bleeding; Internal Bleeding; Bleed; Emergency Bleeding Care; Bleeding First Aid |
| description: | There are two basic types of bleeding, external which is visible, and internal, which is bleeding inside the body, such as, inside the abdomen, chest, stomach, intestines, lungs, and so on. |
| signs & symptoms: | Symptoms of external bleeding are obvious and self-evident. Venous bleeds are dark red and a continuos flow, whereas, arterial bleeds are bright red and spurt. Symptoms of internal bleeding include paleness, dizziness, lightheadedness, vomiting up blood, coughing up blood, rectal bleeding, hematuria, cold clammy skin, rapid heartbeat, abdominal swelling, restlessness, thirst, confusion, coma. |
| treatment: | External bleeding is stopped by three (3) main methods: direct pressure, pressure point, and tourniquet. With direct pressure, use clean gauze or cloth and apply firm pressure, if the gauze soaks through, do not remove it but lay another one on top, and so on. Elevate the part that is bleeding above the level of the heart. Most mild bleeds will stop with 10-20 minutes of direct unrelenting pressure. Any continued bleeding after that most certainly needs emergency attention. Continue pressure and/or apply a firm but not constricting bandage and seek emergency care. Pressure points are designed to diminish the arterial flow into the arm or leg, and is used in conjunction with direct pressure, when direct pressure alone is not totally working. The pressure point for the arm is high up in the armpit, and the thumb is used for that. The pressure point for the leg is the groin crease, and the heel of the hand is used for that. The use of a tourniquet should only be in life-threatening emergencies, such as partial or complete amputations, and arterial bleeds that cannot be stopped with direct pressure and pressure points. Do not use a string or shoelace, they are too narrow. A belt or something 1-2 inches wide is preferable. Place the tourniquet 1-2 inches above the bleeding point, place a half knot, then a stick and then tie 2 full knots. Twist the stick until the bleeding stops. Do not loosen the tourniquet and note the time the tourniquet was placed. Seek emergency care. Have the person lay flat, slightly elevating the head unless there is a neck injury. Do not let the person eat or drink anything, unless emergency help is several hours away, in which case, use sips of clear liquid. Internal bleeding requires emergency medical care. Perform the ABCs and CPR as needed and treat for shock. Seek emergency care. |
Last updated 11/26/2002