First aid – how to stop bleeding

During the wars in the Middle East, doctors discovered that almost 75% of personnel losses were caused by excessive bleeding. During military operations, the ability to provide first aid for bleeding is also crucial for civilians! Therefore, we have prepared for you the most necessary information about bleeding, what it is, how to stop it, and when you need to urgently call an ambulance.

Bleeding – what it is and how to distinguish it

Bleeding is not something strange and incomprehensible to us because everyone has had scratches, knocked knees, and other injuries. But during the war, it is important to know much more about what other bleeding occurs and what our actions should be.

Arterial bleeding

Arterial bleeding is difficult to confuse. Its signs are bright red blood that gushes out and quickly seeps through clothes, a person losing strength and consciousness, and turning pale. It is believed that the loss of 2.5 liters is critical for life. Therefore, you need to act immediately. If there is a tourniquet, apply it.

If there are no special tools, handkerchiefs, a belt, a tie, long pieces of fabric, and a solid oblong object for twisting are suitable – a stick, scissors, or a pen. A tourniquet is placed 5 cm above the wound on clothing or by lining the fabric. The handkerchief is tightened around the hand in two knots; a hard object is inserted into the space between them, and the knot is twisted with it until the pulse on the limb disappears and the bleeding stops. Fix the twist with the second piece of fabric.

Importantly!

After applying the tourniquet, be sure to write on it or the victim’s arm or leg the time when you did it. After all, the time of stay of the tight bandage or tourniquet on the limb should not exceed 2 hours, and 1 hour in the winter.

Venous bleeding

Signs include thick, dark red blood that continuously oozes from the wound. The volume of bleeding can be both insignificant and intense, depending on the size of the damaged vessel. If venous bleeding is critical, a tourniquet or bandage is applied, as in the case of arterial bleeding. With less intense bleeding, it is enough to press the wound with a clean napkin and raise the victim’s limb. After the bleeding has stopped, the person can be placed on his back with his legs raised above the heart and covered with a thermal blanket.

Importantly!

The applied tourniquet must be visible! Do not cover it with a bandage or clothing.

Capillary bleeding

Capillary bleeding occurs as a result of damage to small vessels. Usually, in this case, blood flows from the entire surface of the wound, so the bleeding can be quite significant. Capillary bleeding is especially dangerous for people with blood clotting problems. Disinfect the wound and apply a loose bandage, placing cotton wool or a clean cloth under it.

Importantly!

In cases of faintness or significant capillary bleeding, before applying the bandage, firmly press a clean cloth to the disinfected wound for 3–5 minutes.

Internal bleeding

Internal (parenchymal) bleeding is observed when internal organs are injured (spleen, liver, kidneys) as a result of explosions, slaughter, and penetrating wounds. This bleeding is not always quickly recognized, but important signs are faintness, a weak pulse, pallor, and a cold sweat. Call an ambulance, give the injured person a semi-sitting position, and keep ice or cold water in the area of possible injury until medical personnel arrive.