First Aid for Severe Bleeding Certification Manual: Common Mistakes

Avoiding common mistakes when administering First Aid for Severe Bleeding can help ensure that the victim receives the correct treatment. It is crucial to apply direct pressure to the wound to stop bleeding. Apply pressure firmly and continuously to the site of the bleed. Early recognition and making sure that the victim’s first aid is applied correctly until the bleeding stops is essential. Using a tourniquet can help restrict blood flow. Tourniquets play a critical role in preventing life-threatening blood loss. It is important to put pressure on blood vessels to limit blood flow. If other methods do not stop excessive bleeding, a tourniquet should be used. Tourniquets are essential to stop bleeding when other methods fail. Think of it as preventing a boat from taking on too much blood. Applying a tourniquet on the upper arm can control bleeding effectively. Wound packing is also important in controlling major bleeds.

Some of the most common First Aid for Severe Bleeding mistakes are listed below:

• Not ensuring scene safety
• Not wearing PPE (as seen in the picture above)
• Not initially applying direct pressure
• Not recording the time a tourniquet is placed
• Placing a tourniquet over a joint
• Not recognizing or treating shock
• Not cleaning any bloodborne pathogen contamination
• Not sanitizing an area and decontaminating clothing afterwards