(OLTE) External Bleeding Lesson One

External Bleeding

In general, bleeding is the escape of blood from any blood vessel. Bleeding can be characterized as external or internal. External bleeding involves an open wound in which blood leaves the body and can be seen. In contrast, internal bleeding occurs entirely inside the body and cannot be seen. While minor bleeding is a common emergency that is easily treated with basic first aid steps, which we will explore in another unit, uncontrollable or severe bleeding is a life threatening situation that requires immediate attention.

Let's review blood and blood vessels.

The average adult has a blood volume of about 10-12 pints. This volume is maintained through the continual exchange of excess fluid between the blood stream and body organs. During blood loss, as in bleeding, excess fluid is reabsorbed in the blood stream to help sustain the critical blood volume. However, when severe bleeding occurs, this balance is disrupted and the situation can become life threatening when major body organs and tissues begin to die as a result of lack of oxygen. This can arise as a result of external or internal bleeding.

External bleeding is different depending on the type of blood vessel has been effected. Bleeding from an artery, or arterial bleeding, is the most dangerous as it is rapid and severe. It is characterized as spurting and bright red in color due to the high level of oxygen. This is often the most difficult to control as clotting is impeded by the spurting action of the blood. It is crucial that this type of bleeding must be controlled with first aid steps as it can quickly become a life threatening emergency.

Bleeding from veins, or venous bleeding, is generally slower and flows steadily, without spurting, due to being under less pressure than the arteries. Venous blood is dark red in color. This type of bleed is much easier to control and typically does not produce severe bleeding unless the damaged vein is in the trunk or thigh.

The most common type of bleeding is capillary bleeding in which the blood oozes and clotting can occur easily.

How to Care for Severe External Bleeding

After you have used the 3 C's to assess the situation, obtain consent from the victim and follow these steps:

Remember

  • If the wound is in a limb, raising it above the heart can help, though this should not be done if there is a risk of disturbing fractures, or if it causes much pain to the victim.
  • CPR without enough blood is useless, so be sure to check for severe and excessive bleeding whenever possible.
  • An injury on the head or neck may indicate a spinal injury. The victim should not be moved and the neck and head should be stabilized in the position that you find it.

video from http://www.procpr.org/en/training_video/bleeding-control-arterial-bleeding

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