How to Stop Bleeding

Accidents can happen out of the blue and when they do occur, it isn't uncommon to see a person bleeding, which can be extremely scary. It could be just a little scrape or something way more serious, irrespective of the severity of the wound it's super important to know what to do to stop the bleeding fast because that can really help in a pinch. Here's a quick and easy guide to handle those clumsy moments

Types of Injuries and Associated Bleeding

Capillary Bleeding

This is a type of bleeding that is not life-threatening and is mostly caused by cuts and abrasions. It involves a slow ooze of blood.

Venous Bleeding

This type of bleeding involves an injury to a vein and is associated with a controlled dark red flow of blood, this is venous bleeding

Arterial Bleeding

This type of bleeding is more severe, a more fatal type of bleeding comes out with a bright red spray from the wound with every heartbeat. This kind of bleeding emanates from complete obstruction and thus calls for urgent medical intervention.

What does it mean if the person looks pale, feels cold and is dizzy?

If a person appears pale and feels cold and dizzy, it indicates that there isn't enough blood flowing through their body. This can be life-threatening as it may lead to a lack of oxygen in the body's tissues, potentially causing damage to organs or, in severe cases, a heart attack.

This response to an injury is known as shock. If you suspect someone is bleeding heavily and going into shock, you need to apply pressure to the wound. Why? Simply to stop the blood from gushing out and prevent the person from going into shock. Understanding the initial DRABC steps in a primary survey is essential to ensure that you assess and address life-threatening situations in the correct order.

If the blood is gushing out rapidly, you may need to consider techniques that may assist you in slowing down the bleeding instantaneously. If you are wondering what stops bleeding fast, the following directions may be useful.

1. First, ensure that you are applying direct pressure on the wound. You must do so using a piece of gauze or a clean cloth. Hold the gauze in place until the bleeding stops.

2. If there is excessive bleeding and it soaks through the gauze, grab another piece of cloth or gauze, put it on top of it, and continue applying pressure to the open wound.

3. If the placement of the wound is on the arm or leg, you must raise the limb so that it inclines above the heart. This will slow down the bleeding.

4. Once the bleeding has slowed down or stopped, wash your hands and then proceed with cleaning and dressing the wound

5. Make sure that you use a tourniquet only if the bleeding is severe and isn't stopping with direct pressure

When to Seek Medical Help

There may be instances where you might find yourself in a helpless situation and your only option is to seek medical help; the list below gives insight into when and why you'd need to seek medical help

1. If the blood keeps gushing out after 10 minutes of continuously applying pressure

2. If the wound is gaping and the muscle or bone is visible

3. If there is a sharp object embedded deep into the wound

4. If you suspect that there is arterial bleeding

How do you recognise the signs of Haemorrhage?

External bleeding is more prominent; however, if the bleeding is internal, this could be a sign of a haemorrhage. You can easily recognise if it's a haemorrhage. The signs include shallow breathing, chest pain, low blood pressure, and sweating, and the person might be in a daze while feeling dizzy.

If the injured person loses consciousness due to excessive internal bleeding, pay close attention to the discolouration of the lips and fingernails; if they start turning blue or purple, then you need to call for help immediately.

When Should You See A Doctor?

Internal bleeding usually requires immediate medical attention except for minor injuries like those that cut the blood vessels but are extremely close to the surface of the skin.

Often trivial matters turn into life-threatening situations. When we talk about a haemorrhage, seeing a doctor, irrespective of how minor the case is, should be a priority; Furthermore, research indicates that severe bleeding out cases result in death within 6 hours of admitting the injured person to the hospital.

As soon as internal bleeding is detected, it is imperative that the patient be taken to the hospital immediately; every second counts; if going to the hospital is not an option, then call the emergency service.

Proper knowledge of how to stop bleeding combined with the ability to perform CPR and being equipped with knowledge regarding First aid in general can save a life. Let's make the safety of others a priority. Equip yourself with lifesaving skills Join our Emergency First Aid at Work course and get certified now.

Conclusion

Ensure that you maintain a calm demeanour while tending to someone who is bleeding; knowing how to stop bleeding, whether it's from a minor cut or scrape or from a deeper wound, is a critical skill to possess, one that can save lives. With this skill, you are equipped to handle various emergencies confidently. Furthermore you'll be able to respond effectively in an emergency. Be a useful individual in the sense that you'll easily be able to help those in need and contain a difficult situation. Make sure you keep yourself up-to-date and keep refreshing your skills.