FIRST AID IN HAEMORRHAGE

Haemorrhage (bleeding) is the coming out of blood from the blood vessels which have been damaged.

When the loss of blood is to the outside, it is called external haemorrhage and when it is to the tissues, it is called internal haemorrhage (internal bleeding).

First aid to a patient of internal bleeding is not advisable. The suspected patient should be rushed to a nearby hospital when where he/she will be treated by a medical doctor.

Mouth bleeding

1. The mouth should be rinsed with cold water many times.
2. Put ice block if available into the mouth and let it remain there for sometime to reduce bleeding.

First aid for bleeding limbs

1) Let the patient lie down or sit and raise the bleeding limb above the heart so that less blood flows to the wounded area thereby reducing loss of blood and promoting clotting except in case of a fractured limb.

2) Direct pressure

(a) If the wound is small, use finger to apply direct pressure on the surface of the wound area.

(b) If the wound is large and bleeding is serious, you may have to use your bare hand to apply pressure evenly on the wound area for someone to bring dressing materials. Pressure squeezes the damaged blood vessels closer together and promotes clotting of blood to prevent more loss of blood. If the pressure is not evenly applied, the unpressed area may continue to bleed.

3) Clean the surrounding skin (not the wound itself) with iodine or methylated spirit or hydrogen peroxide.

4) Cover the bleeding spot with clean soft material (e.g. handkerchief, shirt, sanitary napkin) or wool and apply pressure until the bleeding has stopped or slowed to the point that a bandage can be applied. (Don’t be in hurry to stop the pressure).

The cleaner the soft material the better in preventing disease infection.

5) Apply the bandage firmly over the pad and continue the pressure. (Note: The bandage must be checked after the knot has been tied to be sure that it is not too tight to stop blood circulation to the area).

6) Pressure points:- A pressure point is a point where an artery is pressed against a bone externally to stop bleeding. For example, to stop bleeding from the elbow or fore-arm, the brachial artery is pressed against the humerus.

To stop bleeding from the thigh, knee or foot, press femoral artery against the femur (hip bone).

7) Application of tourniquet.

Nose bleeding

When there is bleeding from the nose (nostrils) the following steps are to be followed:-

1. Let the victim sit on a comfortable place such as chair.
2. Let him receive fresh air.
3. The victim’s head should be bent backwards slightly so as to reduce or prevent further loss of blood.
4. The victim should be encouraged to breathe through the mouth and not through the nose to reduce or prevent loss of blood and also to promote clotting. The nose is pinched for 10 minutes.
5. Use cotton wool or tissue paper to remove blood from the nostrils and push in some of the cotton wool or tissue paper into the nostrils to absorb blood. The blood soaked cotton wool is removed at interval and new cotton wool is pushed in until bleeding stops.
6. The nose must not be blown, as doing so will promote bleeding.
7. Apply pressure point. Press the carotid artery against the jaw bone to reduce bleeding.
8. Send the victim to hospital for medical treatment.