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First Aid advice for Bleeding

Although with international health insurance comprehensive medical coverage is provided, there are some situations where fast, on-the-spot treatment can save lives. This article is designed to give you advice for treating bleeding before the doctors sent by your international health insurance comprehensive policy arrive.

External Bleeding
The principle of controlling blood loss is to restrict the flow of blood to the injured part by pressure and elevation.

Severe Bleeding
Apply a clean dressing to the wound with firm, constant pressure, which should be held for up to twenty minutes.

If there is a foreign body in the wound, such as glass, apply pressure alongside.

If you are sure there are no fracture or dislocation, raise the part and support it while maintaining pressure. This should decrease the flow of blood.

If bleeding continues, apply indirect pressure. Press the artery at the next pressure point (pressure Points are difficult and sometimes dangerous to use and should only be used by someone trained in first aid or a doctor sent by your international health insurance comprehensive plan).

Cover and/or dress the wound as soon as possible
Send for medical assistance (your international health insurance comprehensive plan will cover the cost of sending out emergency specialists to assist you). Wrap any severed part, (such as a finger) in a bag and place it in ice if possible, and send with casualty (don't place the finger in direct contact with the ice).

Cuts, Scratches and Scrapes
Mild to moderate bleeding cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding if washed and dressed firmly. A course of tetanus injections may be necessary.

Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding should always be considered very serious and urgent medical attention is necessary. Internal bleeding can either be visible or concealed.

Visible Bleeding
Where the result of internal bleeding can be seen:

• Bleeding in the lungs: frothy, bright red blood coughed up by the casualty.
• Bleeding in the stomach: dark "coffee grounds", or red blood, in vomits.
• Bowel or intestinal bleeding: dark, loose, foul smelling stools.
• Anal or vaginal bleeding: usually red blood, mixed with mucous.

Remember, visible internal bleeding is referred to this way because the results of the bleeding can be seen.

Concealed Bleeding
Concealed Bleeding is harder to diagnose because we can't see it, but if you take a full history from the patient, the patient's family or bystanders at the scene, you should get a better picture of what injuries might be hidden from you. Look at the mechanism of injury.

This will also indicate where the patient might be injured, i.e. chest, abdomen or pelvis. Look for clues on the patient's body, like bruising and tenderness. It's important to remember that some critical signs and symptoms may not appear until well after the incident has happened. This is due to the nature and speed of the internal bleed, it can be slow or perfuse. Following the above information should give you the necessary clues as to whether internal bleeding may be present. If you are not sure, assume the worst and treat for internal bleeding, always err on the side of caution and contact the patient’s international health insurance comprehensive plan providers to arrange for emergency services and direct billing.

Obvious signs and symptoms are normally identified as:

• Pale, cool, clammy skin.
• Thirst.
• Rapid, shallow breathing.
• Abdominal tenderness and/or guarding of the abdomen.
• Pain and/or discomfort.
• Nausea and/or vomiting.

If you are in any doubt or have any concerns about any injury or illness always seek professional medical advice as soon as possible.

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