First Aid for Severe Bleeding Certification Manual: Recognizing Severe Bleeding

How to Recognize a Severe Bleed

Bleeding might be severe or life-threatening if you notice a significant amount of blood has been lost.  Or, if the bleeding cannot be controlled and/or the pulse rate is either below 60 beats per minute or over 120 beats per minute in an adult.

The human body has between 4-6 liters of blood. If you see 1/2 of a liter of blood or more and the bleeding is not yet controlled, you are witnessing a severe and potentially life-threatening bleed.

Common Symptoms:  Bright red spurting blood, Dark red oozing blood, Significant amount of visible blood, Bleeding with an excessively high or low pulse, Fainting while bleeding, Dizziness while bleeding, Nausea while bleeding

Types of Open Wounds

Abrasion 

Abrasions, also known as scrapes, are wounds that can be superficial or deep usually involving minimal bleeding. This type of wound is usually painful, but not severe.

Amputation

Amputation is the removal of a limb. This type of wound is very painful, always severe and frequently leads to shock. 

Avulsion

Avulsions are wounds where skin has been torn from the body during an accident or injury. This type of wound is usually painful, but rarely severe.

Laceration

Lacerations are wounds characterized by a deep cut or tearing of soft tissue. This type of wound is sometimes severe.

Puncture

Punctures are wounds characterized by a deep penetration of soft tissue. This type of wound is frequently severe. A rescuer should not remove a deeply punctured object from an injured person.