BLEEDING
SEVERE BLEEDING
Treat bleeding as severe if:
- Blood spurts forcefully from the wound.
- If you estimate that more than 250ml of blood has been lost.
- If bleeding continues for more than 5 minutes.
WHAT TO DO
- Place the patient in a comfortable position. If possible raise the injured part.
- Restrict the flow of blood by pressing hard on the wound with a clean pad.
- Maintain the pressure for 10 minutes.
- Put a firm pad on the wound and bind it tightly so the pressure is maintained.
- If any blood oozes through the bandage, add more padding and bandage firmly.
- See a doctor if you are unable to stop the bleeding or if you are concerned that the wound may become infected.
DEEP WOUNDS
A deep wound caused by something dirty e.g. a rusty nail or an animal’s tooth carries a high risk of infection.
WHAT TO DO
- See a doctor as antibiotics and tetanus injection are advisable.
NOSEBLEED
WHAT TO DO
- Sit forward and breathe through mouth.
- Hold the nose firmly, for five to ten minutes, pressing with the thumb on the affected side.
- Cold compresses or ice applied across the bridge of the nose may help.
- Do not blow the nose for several hours after the bleeding has stopped.
- See a doctor if the bleeding persist.
- Nosebleed may be a sign of other conditions e.g. hypertension. Have it investigated if it is recurrent, and no apparent cause known.
