To continue this week's trend of daily first-aid tips, today we will focus on first-aid tips for management of an external bleed.
Most external bleeds (bleeding from outside the body) can be controlled. If left uncontrolled, bleeding can lead to shock (a term used to a describe a condition where all the organs of the body stop functioning) and ultimately death. Thus, controlling an external bleed can be lifesaving with the following steps:
1. Call 911
This is a life-threatening emergency, and the person will need medical evaluation fast!
2. Check what I call -"the ABC's of life": Airway, Breathing, Circulation
Is the person talking to you?
If yes - you can be confident that they are breathing.
If the person is not able to talk and does not appear to be breathing-- check their airway (look at the back of the throat for any foreign objects that are obstructing the back of their throat, if you notice something attempt to take it out).
If there is no object obstructing the airway and you are certain the patient is not breathing begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR if you know how.
2. Identify the source(s) of bleeding
Look for the areas where there is the most amount of new blood accumulating.
3. Hold pressure over the wound site
One you have identified the source of bleeding, take a clean cloth, gauze, towel, clothing or any piece of material (the ones that are most absorbent are best) and hold pressure over the source of bleeding. This step is important for allowing the blood to form a natural clot. Depending on the severity of the bleed, you may need multiple layers of materials to hold pressure. Continue to hold pressure until help arrives.
4. Elevate the wound above the level of the heart
This will slow down the flow of blood from the heart and hopefully slow down the rate of bleeding. Don't forget to keep direct pressure on the wound...don't let go until help arrives!
5. Keep the wounded person hydrated
If there is water or fluids for drinking available, have the person continue drinking fluids since they are losing a significant amount of blood.
True or false:
Always use a tourniquet to control bleeding.
Answer: False!
Despite what you see in the movies where everyone puts on a tourniquet to control blood loss after they have been shot or wounded, tourniquets can actually be more harmful than beneficial. Using a tourniquet requires wrapping a piece of material around an extremity and tightening it until blood flow has ceased.
Using a tourniquet to stop bleeding has the potential to damage the entire arm or leg. Patients have been known to lose limbs from the use of tourniquets. Tourniquets should ONLY be used as a last resort to control a bleed!
Hope this information helps you feel more comfortable if you are a first-responder at an accident scene, etc...these tips might help you save someone's life one day!
**PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND/OR BEFORE STARTING OR STOPPING ANY TREATMENT OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER**
Most external bleeds (bleeding from outside the body) can be controlled. If left uncontrolled, bleeding can lead to shock (a term used to a describe a condition where all the organs of the body stop functioning) and ultimately death. Thus, controlling an external bleed can be lifesaving with the following steps:
1. Call 911
This is a life-threatening emergency, and the person will need medical evaluation fast!
2. Check what I call -"the ABC's of life": Airway, Breathing, Circulation
Is the person talking to you?
If yes - you can be confident that they are breathing.
If the person is not able to talk and does not appear to be breathing-- check their airway (look at the back of the throat for any foreign objects that are obstructing the back of their throat, if you notice something attempt to take it out).
If there is no object obstructing the airway and you are certain the patient is not breathing begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR if you know how.
2. Identify the source(s) of bleeding
Look for the areas where there is the most amount of new blood accumulating.
3. Hold pressure over the wound site
One you have identified the source of bleeding, take a clean cloth, gauze, towel, clothing or any piece of material (the ones that are most absorbent are best) and hold pressure over the source of bleeding. This step is important for allowing the blood to form a natural clot. Depending on the severity of the bleed, you may need multiple layers of materials to hold pressure. Continue to hold pressure until help arrives.
4. Elevate the wound above the level of the heart
This will slow down the flow of blood from the heart and hopefully slow down the rate of bleeding. Don't forget to keep direct pressure on the wound...don't let go until help arrives!
5. Keep the wounded person hydrated
If there is water or fluids for drinking available, have the person continue drinking fluids since they are losing a significant amount of blood.
True or false:
Always use a tourniquet to control bleeding.
courtesy of www.firstaid.about.com
Despite what you see in the movies where everyone puts on a tourniquet to control blood loss after they have been shot or wounded, tourniquets can actually be more harmful than beneficial. Using a tourniquet requires wrapping a piece of material around an extremity and tightening it until blood flow has ceased.
Using a tourniquet to stop bleeding has the potential to damage the entire arm or leg. Patients have been known to lose limbs from the use of tourniquets. Tourniquets should ONLY be used as a last resort to control a bleed!
Hope this information helps you feel more comfortable if you are a first-responder at an accident scene, etc...these tips might help you save someone's life one day!
Please feel free to leave comments below, and email me at DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com with any questions or tips that you would like me to discuss!
**PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND/OR BEFORE STARTING OR STOPPING ANY TREATMENT OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER**
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