First Aid for Bleeding | Wounds/ Dressings/ Bandages | Lesson - 3 | Learn Hutt

First Aid for Bleeding | Wounds/ Dressings/ Bandages | Lesson - 3 | Learn Hutt

Bleeding: A healthy adult has about 5 to 6 Ltrs. of blood in the body. If a victim looses about a litre or more of blood, the victim needs a blood transfusion. The victim may also collapse, if the blood loss is more than 1/3 of the quantum.

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Bleeding could be external or internal.

External bleeding: Any abnormal break in the skin or the body surface can cause bleeding. All types of wounds including animal bites can cause bleeding.

Types of bleeding:

Arterial bleeding richly oxygenated blood is bright red and, under pressure from the heart, spurts from a wound in time with the heart beat. A severed main artery may jet blood several feet high and rapidly reduce the volume of circulating blood.

Venous bleeding: Venous blood, having given up its oxygen, is dark red. It is under less pressure than arterial blood.

Capillary bleeding: This type of bleeding, or oozing, occurs at the site of all wounds. Capillary bleeding may at first be brisk, but blood loss is usually slight. A blunt blow may rupture capillaries under the skin causing bleeding into the tissues. (Bruise) 

First Aid:

Arrest bleeding by direct/ indirect pressure. Arresting the bleeding by direct pressure is by placing the dressing of the right size and bandaging the affected area. Bleeding in the case of leg / hand, after bandaging, elevate the affected part. All wounds minor to major are to be washed, dressed and bandaged to prevent infection. Dressings cover the wound and bandages hold the dressing.
Any wound which doesn’t begin to heal within the next 48, to be considered as infected.
Indirect pressure may be applied to a pressure point above the bleeding artry, where the main artry runs close to a bone. This pressure must not be applied for more than 10 minutes. Do not apply a tourniquet, it may result in tissue damage.

Indirect pressures are most suitable to arrest arterial bleedings,
Internal bleeding:  Bleeding within the body cavities is known as internal bleeding. This is serious, even if blood is not spilt from the body, it is still lost from the circulation and shock can develop. Accumulated blood can also exerts damaging pressure on the organs such as lungs and brain. 

Recognition: Paleness, cold, clammy skin, a rapid / weak pulse, pain, thirst, confusion, restlessness and irritability, possibly leading to collapse and unconsciousness and bleeding from orifices. Suspect internal bleeding if following injury, signs of shoek develops without obvious blood loss. Bleeding from orifices

• Mouth - Bleeding in the lungs and within the digestive system.
  
  
• Ear - Injury to the inner or outer ear, perforated eardrum. Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid following head injury.
  
  
• Nose  -Ruptured blood vessel in the nostril Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid following head injury.
  
  
• Anus - Injury to the anus or lower bowl / upper bowl.
  
  
• Urethra - Bleeding from the bladder or kidneys.
  
  
• Vagina -Menstruation, miscarriage, disease of, or injury to the womb.

First Aid:

Make the victim sleep chest upward by raising and supporting the legs. This posture helps blood circulation to vital organs of the body.

Nosebleeds: These most commonly oceur when blood vessels inside the nostrils are ruptured, either by a blow to the nose or as a result of sneezing, kicking or blowing the nose. Infection, such as a cold or flu makes the blood vessels in the nose more fragile. Nosebleeds may also occur as a result of high blood pressure. 

First Aid:

• Sit the casualty down with the head held well forward.
• Ask the casualty to breath through the mouth (this will also have a calming effect ), and to pinch the nose just below the bridge.

• Tell the victim to try, not to speak, swallow, cough, spit or sniff as this may disturb the blood clots.
  
  
• After 10 minutes, tell the casualty to release the pressure. If the nose still bleeds, reapply the pressure for further periods of 10
  minutes.
  
  
• If the nosebleed persists beyond 30 minutes, take or send the casualty to hospital in the treatment position. 

Do not let the victim’s head tip back; blood may run down the throat and induce vomiting.