First Aid - Haemorrhage

Haemorrhage

Bleeding or loss of blood accompanies an accident in which a wound, a fracture or damage to organs occurs.

If there is oozing or a steady flow of blood, it can usually be controlled by direct pressure on the wound.

If however, bleeding is severe and is coming out in spirts, a tourniquet will be needed to control bleeding. A narrow fold triangular bandage, a handkerchief, a necktie, a broad belt or any other piece of material of sufficient length can be used as an improvised tourniquet.

The method described here refers to the use of an improvised tourniquet.

            Fold the triangular bandage of handkerchief to a width of 5 cm

            Apply it on clothing at the level of the middle of the upper or lower limb

            Tie the free ends of the bandage in a hal-knot on the outer side of the limb.

            Place a pencil, piece of wood, spoon etc., on the half-knot

            Complete the knot to hold the pencil in position

            Twist the pencil gradually so as to tighten the bandage until the bleeding stops.

            Use a second bandage tied around the limb to keep the pencil in the tightened up position

            Leave the tourniquet in place, but loosen it gently every 15 minutes.

            If the bleeding has stopped, leave he tourniquet in place but do not tighten up again

            If the bleeding starts again, tighten the tourniquet and repeat steps vi, vii, viii

            Go with the patient to the hospital, if possible so the you can control the bleeding

            Attach a label or any piece of paper to the patient' s shirt

showing the time when the tourniquet was applied.

Note: A tourniquet is a very useful appliance to use in the presence of open fractures of a limb.

Control of bleeding from the nose:

Nosebleeds are fairly common and are due to rupture of small vessels in the walls of the nostrils. If the bleeding does not stop refer the patient to the medical aid.