How to Treat Severe Bleeding - First Aid Training - St John Ambulance

Summary

This video script outlines the steps to treat severe bleeding: ensure airway is clear, use gloves, remove clothing from wound, apply pressure with or without an object, call emergency services, treat for shock, secure dressing, and monitor casualty's response. It emphasizes the importance of quick action to prevent shock and unresponsiveness.

Takeaways

• 🚑 **Assess Severity**: Recognize when bleeding is severe and can lead to shock or unresponsiveness.
• 😷 **Protect Yourself**: Always wear gloves to prevent infection when treating severe bleeding.
• 👕 **Expose the Wound**: Remove or cut clothing to access the wound without disturbing any objects that might be acting as a plug.
• 🚫 **Avoid Removing Objects**: Do not remove objects embedded in the wound as they might be controlling the bleeding.
• 🤕 **Apply Pressure**: Apply direct pressure on either side of an object in a wound or directly on the wound if no object is present.
• 📞 **Call for Help**: Have someone call emergency services (999 or 112) or use a mobile phone on speakerphone.
• 🛌 **Manage Shock**: Help the casualty lie down and elevate their legs to prevent shock, unless the legs are injured.
• 🩹 **Secure the Dressing**: Use a bandage to secure the dressing, ensuring it's tight enough to stop bleeding but not cutting off circulation.
• 🔍 **Check Circulation**: Regularly check the casualty's circulation by observing the color return in their nailbed or skin.
• 🤕 **Support the Injury**: Use a sling or bandage to support the injured part and check circulation every 10 minutes.
• 🕒 **Monitor the Casualty**: Continuously monitor the casualty's level of consciousness while waiting for emergency help to arrive.

Q & A

What is the first sign of severe bleeding?

Severe bleeding can be dramatic and distressing, and if not controlled quickly, it may lead to a life-threatening condition called shock.

How can severe bleeding affect a person's breathing?

Bleeding from the mouth or nose may affect their breathing, so it's important to ensure that the airway is kept clear.

What should you do if a casualty becomes unresponsive?

If the casualty becomes unresponsive, open the airway, check their breathing, and prepare to treat an unresponsive casualty.

Why is it important to wear gloves when treating severe bleeding?

Wearing gloves helps protect both the rescuer and the casualty from infection.

What should you do if clothing is covering the wound?

Remove or cut the clothes to uncover the wound to assess and treat it properly.

How should you handle an object embedded in the wound?

If there is an object in the wound, do not pull it out. Instead, leave it in and apply pressure on either side of it.

What should you do if there is no object in the wound?

Apply direct pressure on the wound with your fingers and use a sterile dressing or clean non-fluffy pad to stop the bleeding.

Who should call emergency services when treating severe bleeding?

A helper should call 999 or 112 for emergency help, or if you're alone, use a mobile on speakerphone.

How can you help prevent shock in a casualty with severe bleeding?

Help the casualty lie down on a blanket or rug to protect them from the cold, and raise and support their legs above the level of their heart.

How do you secure a dressing on a wound?

Secure the dressing with a bandage that is firm enough to maintain pressure but doesn't cut off the circulation.

How often should you check the casualty's level of response while waiting for help?

You should keep monitoring the casualty's level of response continuously while waiting for help to arrive.