External Bleeding

What is it?

Bleeding due to breaking of the skin from cuts, scrapes, etc.

With all bleeding injuries, first identify:

• The amount of bleeding

• The location of bleeding

If the flow of blood is continuous, steady, and heavy, consider the wound to be life-threatening.

Plan of Action:

For non-life-threatening bleeding:

• Apply dressings over the bleeding area, and put direct pressure on the dressings using the heel of your hand

• Direct pressure should be firm, steady, and constant

• Do not remove pressure from the wound to add more dressings

• Do not remove a dressing once it's placed because it could cause the wound to bleed more

• Do not remove pressure until help arrives or the bleeding stops

• If the bleeding is not stopping, press harder

• Once the bleeding stops or you cannot keep pressure on the wound, wrap a bandage firmly over the dressings to hold them in place

• A person who is bleeding should be seen by a healthcare provider ASAP because they may need stitches or a tetanus shot

When to Seek Emergency Care:

• There is a lot of bleeding

• You cannot stop the bleeding

• You see signs of shock

• You suspect a head, neck, or spine injury

• You are not sure what to do