First Aid for Severe Bleeding Certification Manual: Aftercare

Aftercare

Trauma that leads to a severe bleeding incident is most likely to revolve around hospitalization and rehabilitation. Still, aftercare for the rescuer who provided first aid is also important. By nature of treating a severe bleeding incident, bloodborne pathogens and body fluid transfer is a concern. After treatment is completed, proceed by cleaning yourself and your clothing. If you have come into contact with a bloodborne pathogen, seek medical attention after cleaning.

Cleaning Yourself and Clothing

Rinsing and washing with hot water and soap is recommended. Lather the soap for minimally 20 seconds. If any blood or bodily fluids are on your clothes, your clothes need to be washed and sanitized prior to reuse.  Similarly, if blood or bodily fluid is on your protective gear, you should either dispose of the gear (if disposable) or sanitize it.

Removing Latex Gloves

1. Pull the outside of the glove near the wrist area
2. Peel downwards, away from the wrist, turning the glove inside-out
3. Pull the glove away until it is removed from the hand and hold the inside-out glove with the gloved hand
4. With your ungloved hand, slide two fingers under the wrist of the remaining glove. Do not touch the outside of the glove when doing this
5. Peel downwards, away from the wrist, turning the glove inside out
6. Pull the glove down and over the inside-out glove being held in your gloved hand
7. Both gloves should be inside out, one glove inside the other
8. Place gloves in an appropriate bio-hazard receptacle