First aid manual.

  • Great Britain. Civil Defence Department.
Date:
1950
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: First aid manual. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    CHAPTER VIII FIRST AID TREATMENT OF BLEEDING EXTERNAL HAMORRHAGE The immediate object of first aid is to stop the bleeding, and this can best be done by the application of pressure to the bleeding spot. Unless this is done as quickly as possible, a person’s life will be endangered if the bleeding is severe ; even continued oozing of blood from a large area may lead to a high degree of shock, collapse, and death, if it is not treated properly. With the above in mind, a definite line of action should be followed so that bleeding can be stopped with the least possible interference to other tissues. The following procedure should be adopted :— (a) Position of the Patient Lay the injured person down. The heart beats with less strength when a person is lying down, and so blood will escape with less force from the injured blood vessels. If bleeding comes from the head, or from a limb, this should be raised so that blood will have to be pumped “ uphill ” from the heart, and will therefore flow less forcibly from the wound. In cases where bleeding is accompanied by a break in the bone of a limb, the affected limb should not be raised. (b) Expose the Bleeding Point Open or cut off clothing but do not needlessly expose the patient or remove or destroy more clothing than is necessary. (c) Direct Digital Pressure Apply pressure with the fingers or thumb directly on the bleeding point. Ifa dressing or a clean handkerchief is immediately available place this on the wound and press upon it, but remember that speed in stopping the bleeding is the great necessity and no time should be wasted. Do not apply pressure if a bone is broken at the site of bleeding or if there are any substances, such as splinters of glass or metal in the wound ; in such cases, apply indirect pressure (see below), place a dressing over the wound and bandage lightly. Unless the bleeding is severe, as from a large artery or vein, it can generally be stopped by the application of a bandage firmly tied over the dressing, after keeping the fingers or thumb in position for a minute or two while the bandage and dressing are being got ready. The first aid dressings which are carried by Rescue Parties each consist of a sterilised pad dressing and bandage and are designed for easy applica- tion at incidents. If a dressing becomes soaked with blood it should not be removed but a second, or third applied on top and bandaged even more firmly. If, after this, blood again comes through then try indirect digital pressure. (d) Indirect Digital Pressure Apply pressure with the fingers or thumb on the nearest “* Arterial Pressure Point ” if the blood is coming from an artery (See Fig. 24). This should be done when the wound is large or if there is a broken