Dressing a Wound- Bleeding
How to dress a bleeding wound
First wash your own hands, or ensure they are reasonably clean before proceeding. Before putting on a dressing, it helps to try and clear the wound from any dirt or other containments with water (only if available). If the wound looks like a arterial wound, with dark red and pulsing blood, then it is best to call 000 before proceeding to help the victim. Then place a dressing on top of the wound, applying a large amount of pressure to try and clot the blood and stop the bleeding. The arm should also be elevated, unless there appears to be a fracture or break in the arm or shoulder. The next step is to lay the victim down and treat for shock (seen on previous page). If the wound does not look arterial, then now would be the time to call 000. Then, wrap a bandage tightly around the wound to hold the dressing in place, but not so tight that it cuts off circulation to other parts of the body (fingers and toes). If the blood appears to be coming through the dressing then do not remove the original dressing, just place another one on top of the first. For this entire time you should be constantly reassuring the victim and making sure they are still breathing and coping ok. Sometimes it is best to direct their attention and eye sight away from the wound. |