Thoroughly wash a wound before treating it.
Whether a person has a small or a severe wound, the first thing to do in treating it is to stop the bleeding. In most instances, bleeding can be stemmed by applying pressure on the injury and/or elevating the wounded area. Any type of wound -- small or serious -- also runs the risk of becoming infected, so it's essential to know proper first aid techniques, including washing your hands before treating any injury.
Minor Cuts or Scrapes
Bleeding from surface scrapes or cuts is minimal and can stop by itself or by applying direct pressure to the wound. Wash the wound with water and mild soap. Dry the area with a clean towel. Place a sterile bandage on the injury and press the area lightly with your fingers. Remove the bandage once the bleeding stops and apply antibiotic cream on the wound. Cover the injury with a bandage to protect it from dirt and debris.
Razor Cuts
Sometimes razor cuts refuse to stop bleeding, and applying pressure to them is not always effective. Have an alum block on hand should you nick yourself while shaving. Hold the alum block under cold, running water. Apply it to any cuts and the bleeding will stop instantly. Potassium alum, the active ingredient in alum block, has both antiseptic and astringent properties.
Severe Bleeding
Severe bleeding, such as bleeding from a cut vein, can be recognized because the blood flows slowly yet steadily and is dark red in color. Elevate the affected body part higher than heart level so that gravity transports the victim's blood away from the wound. Remove any visible debris but avoid removing objects that have pierced through the skin, since that can cause further damage to the injury. Place a sterile bandage over the wound and apply direct pressure to it. Use a clean cloth or your hands as alternatives to a bandage. Tape the bandage in place once the bleeding stops and avoid moving the injured body part until medical help arrives. If the bleeding does not stop, place an additional bandage over the blood-soaked one and continue to apply pressure to the wound until help arrives.
Uncontrollable Bleeding
Spurts or a steady, heavy flow of bright red blood can be indicative of a severed artery. This type of bleeding is life-threatening. While waiting for medical help to arrive, and after determining that application of pressure to the wound is not effective, you can create a tourniquet to try to control the bleeding. Find a long piece of cloth, or a belt, that's approximately 2 inches wide. Place the cloth on the limb above the wound and wrap it around the limb twice. Make a knot in the cloth to hold it in place. Put a pen on the knot and secure it with a double knot. Turn the pen so that the tourniquet tightens around the limb and the bleeding reduces or stops. Secure the pen in place with a second piece of cloth.
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