First aid for severe bleeding — Health, 14–17 years
Learn the immediate actions that can slow dangerous bleeding while professional help is on its way.
Pressure buys time
Severe bleeding can become dangerous because the body loses blood faster than it can replace it. Firm, continuous pressure over the wound helps slow the flow until emergency services take over. The aim is not to inspect the wound repeatedly; it is to keep pressure steady and get help quickly.
Why the order matters
People often freeze because blood looks alarming, but delay can allow a large loss. Calling emergency services brings trained help, while pressure addresses the immediate problem. Protecting yourself with gloves or a barrier matters too, because helping should not expose you to another person’s blood.
A cut on the forearm
Someone has a deep forearm cut and blood is flowing steadily. First, call the local emergency number or tell someone else to call. Put on gloves if available, place gauze or clean cloth directly over the cut, and press hard without lifting it to look. If blood soaks through, add more cloth on top and keep pressing until help arrives.
Do not lift the first dressing to check
Lifting the cloth feels sensible because you want to see whether the bleeding has stopped. But removing it can pull away clots that are beginning to seal the wound and restart the flow. Keep pressing; if blood shows through, place another dressing on top rather than tearing the first one away.
A practical emergency skill
This skill may matter after a road crash, a broken object or a serious accident at home, school or work. It does not replace emergency training, and different places have different phone numbers and procedures. Learn the local emergency number and, when possible, take a recognised first-aid course.
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