No matter how rapidly emergency responders arrive, bystanders are always first on the scene. In the event that a victim is experiencing life-threatening bleeding, it is important to quickly stop the blood loss while help is on the way.

Acadian Ambulance has taught Stop the Bleed classes, where bystanders learn techniques to stop bleeding in a patient before emergency responders arrive, greatly increasing the chance for recovery. The national Stop the Bleed initiative was launched in 2015 by the White House.

BleedingControl.org shares these tips that can help bystanders assist a victim:

Call 911 right away.

Before you offer any help, you must ensure your own safety.

  • If you become injured, you will not be able to help the victim.
  • Provide care to the injured person if the scene is safe for you to do so.
  • If, at any time, your safety is threatened, attempt to remove yourself (and the victim if possible) from danger and find a safe location.
  • Protect yourself from bloodborne infections by wearing gloves, if available.

Find the source of bleeding. Open or remove the clothing over the wound so you can clearly see it. By removing clothing, you will be able to see injuries that may have been hidden or covered.

Look for and identify “life-threatening” bleeding. Examples include:

  • Blood that is spurting out of the wound.
  • Blood that won’t stop coming out of the wound.
  • Blood that is pooling on the ground.
  • Clothing that is soaked with blood.
  • Bandages that are soaked with blood.
  • Loss of all or part of an arm or leg.
  • Bleeding in a victim who is now confused or unconscious. 

Every method that can be used to stop bleeding has one thing in common—compressing a blood vessel in order to stop the bleeding. 

If you don’t have a trauma first aid kit:

  • Apply direct pressure on the wound by covering it with a clean cloth and applying pressure by pushing directly on it with both hands.
  • Take any clean cloth (for example, a shirt) and cover the wound.
  • If the wound is large and deep, try to stuff the cloth down into the wound.
  • Apply continuous pressure with both hands directly on top of the bleeding wound.
  • Push down as hard as you can.
  • Hold pressure to stop bleeding. Continue pressure until relieved by medical responders.

If you do have a trauma first aid kit and the life-threatening bleeding is from an arm or leg and a tourniquet is NOT available OR if the patient is bleeding from the neck, shoulder or groin:

  • Pack (stuff) the wound with a bleeding control (also called a hemostatic) gauze, plain gauze or a clean cloth and then apply pressure with both hands.
  • Open the clothing over the bleeding wound. Wipe away any pooled blood.
  • Pack (stuff) the wound with bleeding control gauze, plain gauze or clean cloth.
  • Apply steady pressure with both hands directly on top of the bleeding wound. 
  • Push down as hard as you can.
  • Hold pressure to stop bleeding. Continue pressure until relieved by medical responders.

If the life-threatening bleeding is from an arm or leg and a tourniquet is available:

  • Apply the tourniquet by wrapping it around the injured arm or leg about two to three inches above the bleeding site. Be sure NOT to place the tourniquet onto a joint—go above the joint if necessary.
  • Pull the free end of the tourniquet to make it as tight as possible and secure the free end.
  • Twist or wind the windlass until bleeding stops.
  • Secure the windlass to keep the tourniquet tight.
  • Note the time the tourniquet was applied.

A tourniquet will cause pain but it is necessary to stop life-threatening bleeding.

In the event of a bleeding injury, the initial moments can be intense, but we encourage you to become empowered to help if you are needed.

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