Stopping bleeding - this is primarily indicated by instructors when learning to provide first aid in case of injuries and accidents. What types of bleeding are there and first aid for them is what will be discussed below.
Types of bleeding
First, consider what bleeding is and why it is dangerous. In medicine, there are several classifications. Moreover, bleeding from an injured arm or leg that is familiar to everyone is just a special case.
Types of bleeding. First aid for bleeding depends on what kind of vessel was damaged, in which place and how intense the bleeding is.
Separation at the place of blood flow:
Separation by type of damaged vessels:
- venous;
- arterial;
- capillary;
- parenchymal;
- mixed.
By the nature of the process that caused the bleeding:
By severity:
- lung - up to 500 ml;
- average - up to 1 liter;
- heavy - up to 1.5 l;
- massive - up to 2.5 l;
- fatal - up to 3 l (which is 50-60% of the total blood volume);
- absolutely fatal: from 3 to 3.5 liters (of the total volume of more than 60%).
For young children, about 250 ml of blood loss is considered dangerous.
Common signs of bleeding
In case of blood loss , general signs appear:
- weak pulse;
- heart palpitations;
- dizziness;
- lowering blood pressure;
- fainting state.
In severe cases, hypovolemic shock develops, caused by a decrease in the amount of blood in the vascular bed and insufficient blood supply to vital organs with oxygen.
Ways to help with external bleeding
When providing first aid, the so-called temporary methods of stopping are used. Depending on what types of bleeding, first aid for bleeding may include the following methods.
- Application of a tourniquet. Use a rubber band. It is imposed with damage to the main arteries of the limbs or extensive bleeding that cannot be stopped by other methods. The first turn is applied tightly, several cm above the site of bleeding. Under the tourniquet lay fabric, so as not to injure the limb. The following turns are done with minimal tension, securing the tourniquet, leaving it in a conspicuous place. They put a note indicating the time - you can not pinch the artery for more than 2 hours.
- Before applying the tourniquet or in case the damage is in an inaccessible place, the artery is squeezed, pressing with a thumb or fist to the bone protrusion above the site of injury.
- Having bent the limb as much as possible, they squeeze the vessel. At the same time, a fabric roller, a bandage or a small cylindrical object is laid in the place of the bend for better compression.
- Ice is applied to the damaged area through the tissue to cause narrowing of all vessels.
- A tampon and pressure dressing are used for mild bleeding. If necessary, the swab is moistened with cold water, a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide or a hemostatic sponge is used. When the dressing is soaked in blood, a new one is applied over the old.
If serious bleeding is observed, first aid should be provided as soon as possible. Sometimes the score goes for minutes. How to understand how dangerous the situation is? For this, it is necessary to distinguish one type of bleeding from another.
Arterial
Damage to arteries causes dangerous types of bleeding. First aid for bleeding from the main vessel consists in pressing the artery with your finger, bending the limb or applying a tourniquet. If the relief measures are performed correctly, then the bleeding stops immediately, when applying a tourniquet the limb below the place turns pale, it becomes cold.
In case of damage to the artery, death from blood loss can occur within 10 to 15 minutes. With damage to the carotid and femoral arteries, this time is reduced. How to distinguish arterial bleeding? Blood is bright scarlet, flows a strong pulsating stream.
Venous
Venous bleeding: first aid, types and signs, ways to stop differ from arterial in the following moments.
- Blood has a dark cherry hue, flows in a continuous stream or oozes.
- With extensive damage and massive bleeding, a tourniquet is applied, in other cases it is enough to bend the limb or apply a pressure bandage.
Capillary
Capillary bleeding, first aid for bleeding, types of first aid are similar to those for venous.
- Blood oozes from the wound, the color is neutral red.
- The stopping method is a pressure dressing, cold, tamponade.
Such vascular damage is dangerous only with internal bleeding or poor blood coagulation.
Nosebleed
Such a pathology occurs with various systemic diseases, injuries, fever, sunstroke, overexertion, circulatory disorders, diseases and defects of the nasal cavity. Perhaps with excitement and stress. Often occurs in young children and adolescents during the period of hormonal changes in the body.
If someone has nosebleeds, first aid for bleeding, the types and methods of stopping it are as follows.
- Only breathe through the mouth.
- Do not swallow blood.
- Pinch your nostrils for 5-10 minutes.
- Put a cold compress on the nose, on the back of the head.
- Gently shove cotton wool moistened with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution into your nose.
When applying a cold compress, swabs to keep your head in a slightly tilted state. In other cases, tilt slightly so that the blood flows out of the nose and does not enter the throat.
If the bleeding has not stopped within 15 minutes, you must call an ambulance.
Internal bleeding
Types of bleeding, first aid for bleeding in the internal cavities of the body, their signs.
- Blood enters the lungs - causes pulmonary edema, coughing up blood. When bleeding into the pleural cavity - difficulty breathing due to compression of the lung. The victim is given a semi-sitting position, the legs are bent, a roller is placed under the knees.
- When blood enters the abdominal cavity , general signs of bleeding, pain in the abdomen are observed. The position of the victim is lying on his back, his legs are bent.
- In both cases, put ice in place of the alleged bleeding, provide enough fresh air. Keep the victim still.
- When blood flows into the muscles, bloating and hematoma are formed.
All cases of internal bleeding require immediate hospitalization.
Uterine bleeding
Various types of bleeding and first aid for violations in the reproductive system of the female body require qualified medical help. The uterus is richly supplied with blood vessels, and stopping the bleeding is not so simple. This requires the introduction of drugs and often surgical interventions.
Uterine bleeding is possible with inflammatory and degenerative processes in the uterus, hormonal disorders, and pregnancy.
First aid measures:
- Take a lying position, raise your legs by placing a pillow under them.
- On the lower abdomen, put an ice pack or a bottle of cold water through the tissue. Hold the ice for 10-15 minutes, then take a break for 5 minutes. Just keep the chill for about 1-2 hours.
- To make up for blood loss, a heavy drink is recommended.
In field conditions, first aid for bleeding is very important. Extreme medicine involves the provision of competent assistance in conditions where it is impossible to quickly consult a doctor. When planning hiking, practicing various sports, hunting, fishing, you should have at your disposal a minimal set of medical supplies - a first aid kit. To stop bleeding, a tourniquet, bandage, and disinfectant are needed. A three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide not only disinfects the wound, but also helps to stop bleeding. To compress the vessels of the limbs, you can use improvised means: a clean cotton fabric, handkerchiefs, a scarf, a belt, clothes. Instead of a tourniquet, a twist can be applied using a strip of cloth and a stick.
In any case, if bleeding occurs, determine its type and degree of danger, if necessary, squeeze the vessel with your finger and prepare means to stop the bleeding. In case of serious injuries, deliver the victim to the medical center and then to the hospital. Counting on qualified medical care, it is necessary to have a sufficient level of knowledge to help yourself and your loved ones if necessary. Indeed, in some cases, an ambulance can arrive only after a few hours, and sometimes it is necessary to deliver the victim to the nearest settlement on his own.