PROCEDURES FOR CONTROLLING BLEEDING

Direct Pressure is usually the first method of controlling bleeding.

• Place direct pressure over the wound by putting a clean dressing (sterile gauze) over the wound and press firmly.
  
• Maintain pressure on the dressing over the wound by wrapping the wound firmly with a pressure bandage.

Elevation

• Simply elevate the wound above the level of the heart in the body.
  

Pressure Points

• Put pressure on the nearest pressure point to slow the flow of blood to the wound.
  
• Brachial point for bleeding in the arm.
• Femoral point for bleeding in the leg.
  

This could easily take 5 to 7 minutes to stop the bleeding completely. The use of a dressing with a pressure bandage will allow the rescuer to move on the the next victim.

A pressure bandage should be tied with a bow or square not so that it can me easily untied and the wound examined without cutting and wasting supplies.