First Aid Tips - Bleeding External

• Which can be seen on the outside of the body.
  

• Bleeding wound.
• Shock

• Capillary bleed
  • Oozing, bright red.
• Venous bleed
  • Darker red, steady and copious.
• Arterial bleed
  • Bright red, spurting as a jet and in wave pattern, rising and falling with arterial pulse.

Most dangerous is arterial bleeding, as the high arterial pressure can cause rapid emptying of blood from the vascular system, resulting in rapid deterioration of patient's condition and early onset of shock.Death can result within only a few minutes, depending on location.

What to do :   

1. Apply direct pressure with a gloved hand at wound site, making sure there are no embedded objects.
2. Apply a sterile dressing / pad to the wound with pressure.
3. Raise and support the injured limb.
4. Apply tight bandage over the original dressing.
5. Shock may follow and should be managed accordingly.

 If embedded object in wound :

1. Do not apply direct pressure on the object.
2. Do not use a Tourniquet.
3. Do press firmly on either side of object and secure a bandage.