Bleeding: Types, Causes, and First Aid Measures

Posted on Aug 6, 2024 in Physical Education

Types of Bleeding

  • According to the bleeding vessel:
    • Arterial Hemorrhage: Blood spurts out forcefully with each heartbeat, leading to rapid blood loss. Blood appears bright red.
    • Venous Hemorrhage: Blood flows continuously but more slowly, appearing dark red or almost black.
    • Capillary Hemorrhage: Blood oozes from the skin at multiple points, appearing as a sheet.
  • Depending on where the bleeding occurs:
    • External Hemorrhage: Blood flows outside the body, often with minor consequences.
    • Internal Hemorrhage: Blood accumulates within tissues or body cavities, making it less visible and more dangerous.
    • Externalizing Hemorrhage: Blood originates internally but exits through a natural orifice (mouth, vagina, anus).
  • Based on the time and speed of bleeding:
    • Acute Hemorrhage: Occurs over minutes or hours, with symptoms varying based on blood loss.
    • Chronic Hemorrhage: May persist for days or weeks.

Severity of Bleeding

  • Minor Bleeding: Less than 10% of blood volume is lost, causing slight instability but minimal pain.
  • Major Bleeding: 10-30% of blood volume is lost, leading to pain, shallow breathing, pale and cold skin, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and blurred vision.
  • Severe Bleeding: More than 30% of blood volume is lost, resulting in intense symptoms and shock, potentially leading to death within hours.

Actions Against Bleeding

General Actions:

  • Sit the victim to prevent dizziness and falls.
  • If the victim appears pale, cold, or dizzy, place them in a supine or Trendelenburg position.

Actions Against Local External Bleeding:

  • Expose the bleeding area.
  • Apply direct pressure to the bleeding area using a clean cloth.
  • If the cloth becomes saturated, do not remove it; add another cloth and secure it with a bandage or gauze.
  • If direct pressure does not stop the bleeding, elevate the limb above heart level or apply pressure to the artery supplying the area.

Actions if Bleeding Does Not Stop: The Tourniquet

  • Ensure that all other measures have been applied correctly.
  • Use a tourniquet only as a last resort when the victim’s life is in danger.
  • Apply the tourniquet tightly enough to stop blood flow but not so tightly as to cut off circulation.

Actions if the Wound Contains a Foreign Body:

  • If the foreign body is large or embedded, do not attempt to remove it.
  • Bandage the area around the foreign body without applying direct pressure.

Actions Against Internal Bleeding:

  • Suspect internal bleeding if the victim has received a severe blow to the torso but does not exhibit external bleeding.
  • Place the victim in a semi-sitting position with one arm behind their back to prevent aspiration of vomit.
  • Seek medical attention immediately.

Shock

  • Caused by severe bleeding or other conditions that impair organ function.
  • Symptoms include pale skin, cold extremities, clammy sweat, rapid and weak pulse, shallow breathing, thirst, and loss of consciousness.

Actions for Shock:

  • Stop the bleeding or other cause of shock.
  • Elevate the victim’s legs.
  • Turn the victim’s head to one side.
  • Reassure the victim and keep them warm.
  • Seek medical attention immediately.
  • If conscious, give small sips of water.