BLEEDING - Minor cuts and scratches

Treatment

• Wash and dry your own hands.
• Cover any cuts on your own hands and put on disposable gloves.
• Clean the cut, if dirty, under running water. Pat dry with a sterile dressing or clean lint-free material. If possible, raise affected area above the heart.
• Cover the cut temporarily while you clean the surrounding skin with soap and water and pat the surrounding skin dry. Cover the cut completely with a sterile dressing or plaster.

Severe bleeding

Treatment

• Put on disposable gloves.
• Apply direct pressure to the wound with a pad (e.g. a clean cloth) or fingers until a sterile dressing is available.
• Raise and support the injured limb. Take particular care if you suspect a bone has been broken.
• Lay the casualty down to treat for shock.
• Bandage the pad or dressing firmly to control bleeding, but not so tightly that it stops the circulation to fingers or toes. If bleeding seeps through first bandage, cover with a second bandage. If bleeding continues to seep through bandage, remove it and reapply.
• Treat for shock.
• Dial 911 for an ambulance.

Remember: Protect yourself from infection by wearing disposable gloves and covering any wounds on your hands.
If blood comes through the dressing DO NOT remove it – bandage another over the original.
If blood seeps through BOTH dressings, remove them both and replace with a fresh dressing, applying pressure over the site of bleeding.

Objects in wounds

Where possible, swab or wash small objects out of the wound with clean water. If there is a large object embedded:

Treatment

• Leave it in place.
• Apply firm pressure on either side of the object.
• Raise and support the wounded limb or part.
• Lay the person down to treat for shock.
• Gently cover the wound and object with a sterile dressing.
• Build up padding around the object until the padding is higher than the object, then bandage over the object without pressing on it.
• Depending on the severity of the bleeding, dial 911 for an ambulance or take the person to hospital.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.