Management of ocular emergencies: techniques and procedures
10/06/2024
First aid: managing internal haemorrhage effectively
10/06/2024In the face of severe haemorrhage, every second counts. Knowing how to react quickly and effectively can mean the difference between life and death. This article will provide you with detailed instructions for dealing with such a medical emergency. Learn how to recognise the signs of a serious haemorrhage and discover the crucial steps to take to stabilise the situation before help arrives.
Recognising severe haemorrhage
A severe haemorrhage is characterised by a massive and rapid loss of blood that can rapidly lead to shock or death if left unchecked. Warning signs include:
- Abundant and continuous bleeding, even after compression.
- Extreme pallor due to poor oxygenation.
- A cold sweat, a state of confusion or vertigo.
- A rapid but weak pulse, indicating an attempt by the body to compensate.
When faced with these symptoms, it is essential to act quickly to control the bleeding and alert emergency services.
Ensuring safety and alerting emergency services.
Your safety is paramount. Make sure that the environment around the victim does not present any additional dangers. Once you are safe, call the local emergency number immediately and provide precise information about the victim’s condition and your location.
Controlling a hemorrhage: advanced bleeding management techniques
After alerting the emergency services (144 in Switzerland), it is crucial to act quickly to stop the bleeding and prevent shock.
Preventing shock: Lay the victim down and cover them with a blanket to maintain their body temperature.
Direct pressure on the wound: Immediately apply firm pressure with a sterile dressing, a clean cloth or even your hand if necessary. Maintain this pressure relentlessly until help arrives.
Elevating the injured limb: If possible, elevate the affected limb above the level of the heart to reduce blood flow.
Use of a tourniquet: If bleeding persists despite direct pressure and involves a limb, use a t tourniquet. Place it about 5 cm above the wound (never on a joint). Tighten gradually until the bleeding stops completely. Make a note of the time of application for the emergency services, as a tourniquet should not be left in place for too long.
Pressure points: In the absence of a tourniquet, apply pressure to the main arteries (brachial artery for the arm, femoral artery for the leg) to slow the bleeding.
Prevent shock and monitor the victim
While waiting for help, it is essential to prevent shock. Cover the victim with a blanket to keep them warm. Carefully monitor vital signs such as consciousness, breathing and pulse. Keep talking to the victim to reassure them and monitor their level of consciousness.
Preparing for emergency response: optimising care
When the emergency services arrive, it is essential that they are given clear and precise information to ensure effective care:
- Describe the actions performed: indicate the first aid procedures performed (direct pressure, applying a tourniquet, positioning the victim).
- Explain the evolution of the victim’s condition: specify whether the victim was conscious, breathing or whether their condition deteriorated.
- Share any known medical history: allergies, current treatments, specific medical conditions.
- Indicate the time of certain interventions: time of tourniquet application or start of chest compressions.
This transmission of information enables healthcare professionals to adapt their response quickly.
Essential training
Although this article provides vital information on the management of severe bleeding, attending first aid training, such as the IAS 1 and IAS 2 courses, is highly recommended to gain a thorough understanding and practical skills. Note that these instructions are not part of the BLS AED SRC training programme. To find out more, explore the comparison of BLS AED SRC, IAS 1 and IAS 2 training.
To develop these skills further, discover our specialised training courses:
