How to Treat Severe Bleeding During First Aid

Medically reviewed by Janice Litza, MD

Last Updated: December 16, 2024 Approved

Research shows that applying pressure to severe bleeding immediately helps minimize blood loss. Ideally, press a cloth or bandage against the wound, but you can also press on the wound with your hand if it's your only option. ^{[1]
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MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
Go to source} Experts say that you should call for help and check the wound for protruding objects before you apply pressure, however. ^{[2]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} Giving first aid to someone with severe bleeding can be a scary experience, but you can help them get the care they need to help them recover.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Treating Immediate Issues

1
Get help. Call for emergency medical help or ask someone else nearby to do it while you begin caring for the injured person. Do this as soon as possible, so that help will quickly arrive. This is the key to survival for a severely injured person. ^{[3]
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Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source}
- If you suspect the person has injuries that are causing internal bleeding, let medical help know when you call. There might be internal bleeding if you notice the person coughing up blood, vomiting, or bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, or mouth. Any sudden bruising along with swelling of the back, abdomen, or an arm or leg are also further signs of internal bleeding. ^{[4]
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  MedlinePlus
  Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
  Go to source}
2
Evaluate the injured person using the ABCDE mnemonic. ABCDE stands for A irways, B reathing, C irculation, D isability, and E xposure/Environment and serves as a reminder of the order in which you should evaluate the trauma of the injured person. ^{[5]
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Research source} Knowing the source of the trauma will help in deciding how to proceed with first aid as well as inform emergency personnel, such as 911 operators, to address the problem more accurately.
- Airways : Check for obstructions to the injured person's airways. Is there a foreign object in the way? Are there external or internal fractures preventing airflow?
- Breathing : Check if they are breathing. Is their chest rising and falling? Do they need additional oxygen?
- Circulation : Check that the injured person has adequate blood circulation. Do they have a pulse? Are they conscious?
- Disability : Check for signs of brain trauma. Are they conscious? Are their pupils dilated?
- Exposure/Environment : Check to see if they are injured elsewhere or at further risk. Are they protected from cold or hot? Are they restricted by their own clothes or dangerous elements?
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Do not move the injured person if you do not have to. However, if there is immediate danger of other injury (from traffic, falling objects, etc.), try to form a barrier, keeping the injured person and others safe, such as by directing traffic around an accident site. If you absolutely must move the injured person yourself, immobilize the wound site as best you can. ^{[6]
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Research source}
4
Wash your hands if possible. If you can, you'll want to sanitize your hands by washing them with soap and water. Put on surgical gloves as well, if they're available. This will not only protect you from the risk of getting diseases, but also prevent the injured person from becoming infected. ^{[7]
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Research source}
- Always be careful when handling someone else's blood. Since blood can carry disease-causing pathogens, take steps to wash your hands and protect yourself. ^{[8]
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  Research source}
- Never re-use plastic or surgical gloves, since doing so can spread infection.
- If you do not have disposable gloves, try using something like plastic wrap to put a barrier between your hands and the wound. ^{[9]
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  Research source}
If there is obvious dirt or debris in the wound, remove it if possible. ^{[10]
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Research source} However, do not try to remove large objects, or ones deeply embedded in the wound, since this can make bleeding worse. If you must leave an object in the wound, avoid pressing on it, as this may push it deeper into the wound.
6
Apply pressure. Use a sterile or clean cloth, bandage, or gauze and apply firm pressure directly on the site of the bleeding. Use your hands only if you have nothing else. ^{[11]
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Research source} Do not put pressure on an eye wound, or if there is an object embedded in the wound.
- Keep applying pressure without removing the cloth to check on the bleeding. If you take the bandage off, you could disturb clots that are forming to stop the bleeding. ^{[12]
  X
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  Harvard Medical School
  Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
  Go to source}
You can fix the bandage in place with tape, gauze strips or whatever you have on hand, like a necktie or strip of cloth. Take care not to tie the strips too tightly, or you could cut off circulation.
If a bone does not appear to be broken, raise the wound site so that it is above the heart. ^{[13]
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Research source} For instance, if a leg is injured, raise it on a chair or place a pillow under it. Elevating the wound can keep blood from rushing to it and intensifying the bleeding.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Stopping Further Blood Loss

1
Apply pressure to a pressure point if the bleeding does not stop. ^{[14]
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Research source} A pressure point is a location where you can squeeze an artery against a bone, which can slow the flow of blood. There are two major pressure points on the body; choose the one nearest the site of the wound. ^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source}
- If the bleeding is near a leg, press and hold against the femoral artery in the groin, where the leg bends at the hip.
- If the bleeding is near an arm, press and hold against the brachial artery, along the inside of the upper arm.
Cover the injured person with a blanket or similar material to keep in body heat. Resting the injured person can help prevent him or her from going into shock. ^{[16]
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Don't remove the cloth covering the wound even if it soaks through with blood, as this can make the bleeding worse. You can place another layer of cloth or bandage over the soaked one. The important thing is to keep applying pressure. ^{[17]
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4
Use a tourniquet only if you have proper training. If bleeding does not stop, even after prolonged pressure, you may need to make a tourniquet. Because there are severe dangers from incorrectly placing or applying a tourniquet, you should only use one if you've been trained to do so. ^{[18]
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MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
Go to source}
- An easy-to-use combat tourniquet is now available for civilian purchase. If you can get one, buy a Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) and learn how to use it.
- When paramedics or other help arrives, let them know how long the tourniquet has been in place.
Dealing with severe bleeding can be shocking and stressful. While you wait for medical help to arrive, calm yourself by focusing on the steps necessary to stop the bleeding. Calm the injured person by talking to him or her, and giving assurance that help is on the way.
6
Get the injured person proper medical attention. If you're waiting for an ambulance, continue to stay with the injured person. Keep applying pressure to the wound. Or, if the bleeding has stopped and help is not on the way, try to get the injured person to the emergency room as quickly as you can. ^{[19]
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Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source}
- Remember, if you must move the injured person yourself, immobilize the wound site. If possible, wait until after the bleeding has stopped to move the person.
- Don't remove any bandages before taking the person to the emergency room. ^{[20]
  X
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  University of Rochester Medical Center
  Leading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and research
  Go to source} Removing them could cause bleeding to restart.
- If the person is alert, ask about any medicine they are taking or any known medical problems, also any known drug allergies. This can keep them distracted while you wait for help and is important information you can then pass on to medical professionals.
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Question

Can you use alcohol or spirits on a bleeding injury if it's not bleeding a lot?

Janice Litza, MD
Board Certified Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Litza is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician based in Racine, Wisconsin. With over 25 years of educational and professional experience, she has extensive experience providing full-spectrum Family Medicine, including obstetrics, newborn care, and hospital medicine. She is currently the Residency Program Director for Family Medicine at Ascension. Dr. Litza received her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and has completed additional fellowship training in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona.

Janice Litza, MD

Board Certified Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

Using alcohol of any kind is not recommended due to increase pain and burning as it can affect wound healing negatively. Using plain soap and water is best to wash any small wound.

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What if the person has been heavily bleeding and they aren't breathing?

Jonas DeMuro, MD
Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
Dr. DeMuro is a board certified Pediatric Critical Care Surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow.

Jonas DeMuro, MD

Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon

Expert Answer

911 should be called immediately. Then you should check the person for a pulse and the need for CPR.

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Warnings

Never try to move organs if they are visibly displaced. Do not try to put them back, or you may cause further injury.

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Even if the patient has lost a limb, you should stop severe bleeding before you concern yourself with preserving the limb.

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How to Treat Severe Bleeding During First Aid

Steps

Treating Immediate Issues

Stopping Further Blood Loss

Expert Q&A

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Warnings

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