BASIC FIRST AID

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BASICFIRST AID

• BLEEDING

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INTRODUCTION

• The information provided to you in the first aid
  series is meant to supplement your training and
  is to inform you of the injuries that you may be
  faced in a wilderness situation.
• KEEP IN MIND SAFETY FIRST AND ALWAYS BE PLANING
  FOR THE WORST CASE SCENERIOS.

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BLEEDING

• While administering first aid to a casualty who
  is bleeding, you must remain calm. The sight of
  blood is an emotional event for many, and it
  often appears severe. However, most bleeding is
  less severe than it appears. Most of the major
  arteries are deep and well protected by tissue
  and bone. Although bleeding can be fatal, you
  will usually have enough time to think and act
  calmly.

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BLEEDING

• There are three classifications of bleeding.
• Capillary- Capillary bleeding is slow, the
  blood "oozes" from the (wound) cut.
• Venous- Venous bleeding is dark red or
  maroon, the blood flows in a steady stream.
• Arterial- Arterial bleeding is bright red,
  the blood "spurts" from the wound.
• Arterial bleeding is life threatening and
  difficult to control.

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BLEEDING

• There are three methods to control bleeding
• direct pressure
• elevation
• indirect pressure.

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BLEEDING

• Direct Pressure
• Place a sterile dressing or clean cloth on the
  wound, tie a knot or adhere tape directly over
  the wound, only tight enough to control bleeding.
  If bleeding is not controlled, apply another
  dressing over the first or apply direct pressure
  with your hand or fingers over the wound. Direct
  pressure can be applied by the casualty or a
  bystander. Under no circumstances is a dressing
  removed once it has been applied.

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BLEEDING

• Elevation
• Raising (elevation) of an injured arm or leg
  (extremity) above the level of the heart will
  help control bleeding. Elevation should be used
  together with direct pressure.

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BLEEDING

• Indirect Pressure or Pressure Points
• In cases of severe bleeding when direct pressure
  and elevation are not controlling the bleeding,
  indirect pressure must be used. Bleeding from an
  artery can be controlled by applying pressure to
  the appropriate pressure point. Pressure points
  are areas of the body where the blood flow can be
  controlled by pressing the artery against an
  underlying bone. Pressure is applied with the
  fingers, thumb, or heel of the hand.

DIRECT
PRESSURE
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BLEEDING

• Pressure points should be used with caution.
  Indirect pressure can cause damage to the
  extremity due to inadequate blood flow. Do not
  apply pressure to the neck (carotid) pressure
  points, it can cause cardiac arrest.

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BLEEDING

• Penetrating Objects
• DO NOT remove the object. Stabilize the object by
  using bulky dressing around the object and secure
  it in place.

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BLEEDING
Wrap in dry sterile or clean bandage or cloth.

• Severed Body Part
• Control Bleeding
• Contact 911
• Wrap up body part in sterile or clean cloth.
• Place in a plastic zip lock bag and place in cold
  water.

COLD WATER
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BLEEDING

• Nose Bleed
• Nosebleeds can be caused by an injury, disease,
  the environment, high blood pressure, and changes
  in altitude. They frighten the individual and may
  bleed enough to cause shock.
• If the bleeding is due to a head injury and you
  suspect a fractured skull, do not stop the
  bleeding. Cover the nose with a loose, dry,
  sterile dressing and call the local emergency
  number or medical personnel.

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BLEEDING

• If the individual has a nosebleed due to other
  causes, do the following
• 1. Keep the individual quiet, sitting with head
  tilted forward.
• 2. Pinch the nose shut (if there is no fracture),
  place ice or cold packs to the bridge of the
  nose, or put pressure on the upper lip just below
  the nose. Seek medical assistance if the
  nosebleed continues, bleeding starts again, or
  bleeding is because of high blood pressure. If
  the individual loses consciousness, place them on
  their side to allow blood to drain from the nose
  and call the local emergency number(911).

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FIRST AID / CPRCLASSES