How to Control Bleeding

To prevent the victim from a certain worst condition like blood loss or anemia, the health care provider should know about controlling bleeding.

Methods of Controlling Bleeding

Bleeding is classified into two classifications, external and internal bleeding. To control external bleeding, it is manually done through the application of pressure, positioning, and use of a tourniquet, while internal bleeding needs a special procedure to control bleeding. 

The following are the methods of controlling bleeding: 

Direct Pressure—It is the best method of controlling bleeding, where pressure is applied directly to the wound. This is done by placing the cleanest gauze against the wound and applying firm pressure until a cover bandage is applied. The use of cover bondage should be tied over the wound unless otherwise indicated. The application of pressure through bondage should not be removed until the victim is examined by a physician. If bleeding continues after the bondage has been tied, this means that not enough pressure has been applied. In case of severe bleeding, if gauze is not available, immediately bare hand is used to applied pressure. 

Elevation—Elevating of bleeding wound above the level of the heart will cease or slow the bleeding. A combination of direct pressure and elevation is best and effective to control bleeding. 

Pressure Point—There are 26 pressure points on both upper and lower extremities, 13 of which are on each side, found along the main arteries. If direct pressure and elevation don’t slow or stop the bleeding, digital pressure is applied to control bleeding, but this needs special consideration, since its results in inadequate blood flow that may lead to limb damage. 

Tourniquets—If all methods have failed, a tourniquet is used as a last resort to control severe bleeding. A tourniquet is a device used only for life-threatening bleeding that cannot be controlled by another method. 

Precaution of using tourniquet:

• Don’t cover the tourniquet 
• Make a note of the tourniquet’s location and the time it was applied. 
• Get the victim to a medical facility as soon as possible. 
• Don’t remove the tourniquet once tied up except by or on the advice of a doctor, because it may cause the severe shock of death due to blood loss of blood.