If the person is unresponsive, not breathing normally, or you are unsure — call your local emergency number NOW, before anything else.
Severe Bleeding
Severe bleeding can cause shock or death within minutes. Fast action to call for help and firmly control the bleeding can save a life.
Call emergency services immediately if…
- The bleeding is heavy, spurting, or will not stop after firm direct pressure.
- The person is faint, confused, very pale, struggling to stay awake, or breathing abnormally.
- Blood is soaking through cloths or pooling on the ground.
- The wound is deep, large, or caused by a serious injury such as a crash, fall, or violence.
- There may be an amputation, an object stuck in the wound, or bleeding from the neck, chest, abdomen, or groin.
- 1
Call emergency help
Call the local emergency number immediately for life-threatening bleeding. Put the phone on speaker if you can, and ask another person to bring a first-aid kit while you start care.
- 2
Make the area safe
Check for danger to you and the injured person, such as traffic, fire, electricity, or violence. If available, put on gloves or use a clean plastic barrier, but do not delay bleeding control if none is available.
- 3
Expose the wound
Find where the blood is coming from by removing or cutting away clothing if needed. If there are several wounds, treat the one bleeding most heavily first.
- 4
Apply firm direct pressure
Press hard and directly on the wound with a clean cloth, dressing, or your hand if nothing else is available. Keep steady pressure without lifting to check too often, because this can restart bleeding.
- 5
Add more padding
If blood soaks through, place more cloth or dressings on top and keep pressing firmly. Do not remove the first layer unless a health professional tells you to, because removing it may tear away clots.
- 6
Use a tourniquet if needed
If severe bleeding from an arm or leg does not stop with direct pressure, or if direct pressure is impossible, use a commercial tourniquet if one is available and you know how to apply it. Place it high on the limb above the wound, tighten until the bleeding stops, and leave it in place until emergency help takes over.
- 7
Protect from shock
Have the person lie down if possible and keep them still. Cover them with a coat or blanket to keep them warm, and do not give food or drink.
- 8
Watch breathing and responsiveness
Stay with the person and monitor their breathing and level of response until help arrives. If they become unresponsive and are not breathing normally, begin CPR if you are willing and able.
Do NOT
- Do not delay calling the local emergency number for heavy bleeding.
- Do not keep lifting the cloth or dressing to look at the wound.
- Do not remove an object stuck in the wound; press around it and wait for emergency help.
- Do not give the person food, drink, or alcohol.
- Do not remove a tourniquet once it has been tightened to stop life-threatening bleeding.
Afterwards
Once the bleeding is controlled, keep the person warm, calm, and still until medical help takes over. Even if bleeding seems to stop, serious blood loss or hidden injury may still be present, so the person should be medically assessed.
Sources
- [1]First Aid Steps — American Red Cross
- [2]First aid for someone who is bleeding heavily — British Red Cross
- [3]Basic Emergency Care — World Health Organization
Printed from HealthPulse.cc — first-aid education only, not a substitute for training or professional emergency care. Always call your local emergency number first.
Medical Disclaimer
Health Information Notice: HealthPulse provides educational information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do not change medications or treatment based solely on this information. If you may be experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately. Read our Medical Disclaimer →
AI notice: HealthPulse AI provides general health information, not medical diagnosis or treatment. For personal medical decisions, consult a qualified healthcare professional.