When you first come across somebody that has a fresh wound or cut, the first thing you’ll need to do is assess the injury to find out how deep it is. The best way to do this is to immediately put direct pressure on the wound with a piece of gauze or a clean cloth. While you’re applying pressure, take note of the amount of blood that is being released. If you notice that the material is becoming soaked with blood, don’t release the pressure to remove it. Instead, apply more gauze or material while continuing to apply pressure.
Severe bleeding that does not stop when direct pressure is applied will require a tourniquet. Deep cuts and wounds can puncture an artery, and if the bleeding isn’t controlled fast enough it can quickly turn into a dire medical situation.
When to call for help:
You should call 911 if any of the following conditions are present:
- Severe bleeding
- Blood is spurting from the cut or wound
- Bleeding continues even after steady pressure has been applied for 10 minutes
- The wound is on the chest, face or the abdomen
- Internal bleeding is suspected
- Any cut or wound caused by an object that is rusty
When you have basic first-aid training, you’ll find it easier to assess the cuts that will require medical care and the wounds that can be handled with home care. The first assessment of any medical situation is often the most important since valuable time can be saved when medical attention is needed and sought promptly.
Find out how you can help others more effectively with first-aid/CPR training by visiting our site at heart2heartcpr.com. You can make an important difference and possibly save someone’s life when you know and understand how to access and treat medical situations properly. We offer classes Canada wide including First Aid & CPR training in Toronto.