Bleeding is the loss of blood from the blood vessels.  Severe or continued bleeding can lead to death.  You as a first aider must control the bleeding.  Blood consists of red and white cells, platelets that assist with clotting, and plasma, which is the fluid component of blood.  The blood is circulated around the body by our heart, which is under constant pressure.

 

• An adults body contains 6 litres of blood – an adult can lose ½ litre of blood without harm
• A child’s body contains 2 ½ litres of blood
• An infant’s body contains 750mls of blood.  A loss of 300mls can cause death

 

Remember: BLEEDING CAN CAUSE SHOCK AND DEATH.  

ACT IMMEDIATELY

 

Internal Bleeding:

 

Visible Signs of Internal Bleeding

Bleeding from the:

Lungs  Cough up bright red blood

 Stomach  Cough up dark coffee coloured blood

 Bowel  Dark loose smelly stools

 Kidney  Pink Urine

 Vaginal  Red Blood

 

Signs and Symptoms may include:

• Pale, cold, clammy skin (shock)
• Pale tongue and inside of the mouth
• Rapid gasping breathing
• Rapid weak pulse
• Nausea and / or vomiting – vomit may be the colour of coffee grounds
• Weakness, faintness or dizziness
• Pain, tenderness, rigidity
• Casualty may pass blood in their urine or faeces
• Casualty may cough up bright frothy red blood
• Decrease in consciousness

 

Treatment

Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty

ü Lay casualty flat

ü Elevate legs

ü If casualty is unconscious, place in the lateral position. If coughing up blood, place casualty in a semi sitting position (if the casualty is dizzy or semi conscious place them in the lateral position)

ü Remove constrictive clothing

ü

 

Monitor and record vital signs

ü Give nil by mouth

ü Seek medical assistance immediately

 

External Bleeding:

 

Always wear gloves

Treatment

Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty

ü Reassure the casualty

ü Apply direct pressure to the wound using a gloved hand or try and use the casualty’s own hand

ü Lie casualty flat

ü Apply a dressing to the wound and bandage firmly in place

ü Loosen tight clothing from around the neck, chest and waist

ü Elevate and support bleeding part except if fractured

ü Monitor and record vital signs

ü Check for shock

ü If bleeding persists, apply a second dressing.  DO NOT REMOVE THE FIRST DRESSING

ü Protect the casualty from the weather conditions

ü Seek medical aid

NEVER LEAVE THE CASUALTY ALONE

 

Abrasions:

Abrasions occur as a result of a fall onto a hard surface, creating a grazing injury to the skin.  Dirt may become embedded in the wound

Treatment

ü Clean the wound with antiseptic solution or clean sterile water using gauze swabs

ü Apply a non stick dressing

DO NOT USE COTTON WOOL as it sticks to the wound

Lacerations:

A laceration is a large cut or a tear to the skin, which will need to be seen by a doctor, especially if a Tetanus booster or stitching is required

Treatment

ü Control bleeding

ü Clean the wound with antiseptic solution or sterile water

ü Use steri-strips or tape to hold the skin together

ü Pad and bandage

ü Seek medical attention

 

Embedded objects:

Fish hooks, sticks, steel, shards of glass or timber

Treatment:

ü Pad around the object

ü Ensure that the bleeding has stopped

 

 

Crater Wounds:

These occur when large pieces of tissue are torn away from the body.  Severe bleeding and shock can occur

Treatment:

ü Pack wound with sterile material

ü Apply direct pressure and a compression bandage

ü Elevate and rest the injury

ü If bleeding persists, apply a second dressing

DO NOT remove the first layer and compression bandage

 

Bleeding Nose:

Treatment:

ü Sit the casualty with their head slightly forward

ü Apply direct pressure to the soft part of the nose for at least 10 minutes (longer pressure may be need in hot weather or after exercise)

ü If bleeding continues place an ice pack over the forehead and the back of the neck

ü Seek medical advice if bleeding cannot be controlled

 

Bleeding Scalp:

Treatment:

ü If possible, sit the casualty in an upright position as this may help to reduce the bleeding

ü Direct pressure may need to be maintained, as it is hard to bandage the head firmly enough

ü Apply an ice pack on the wound

DO NOT panic as wounds can bleed profusely

 

Bleeding from Varicose Veins:

Treatment:

ü Place casualty onto their back and elevate their legs.

ü Remove constrictive clothing from legs

ü Apply a pad and bandage

ü Seek medical advice

 

Amputation:

Treatment:

ü Apply a dressing and bandage to the stump

ü Elevate the amputated stump

ü Place the amputated part in a plastic bag and seal it

ü Place the sealed plastic bag into another plastic bag and seal completely

ü Place the plastic bag into a container of cooled ice water

ü If no plastic bags, wrap part in a damp piece of cotton material and keep in a cool place

ü Remain calm at all times

NOTE:  An arterial tourniquet must only be used if the casualty is suffering from life-threatening bleeding and direct pressure is not stemming the flow of blood.  Some cases may include: Shark attack, or major damage caused by a propeller from a plane or a boat motor.

 

Lost Teeth:

Caused by falls and hard blows

Treatment:

ü Clean tooth with milk, water or saliva.

ü Replace tooth if possible.

ü Splint to adjacent teeth with foil.

ü Contact Dentist

 

Store tooth in their saliva if tooth cannot be replaced