CPR/AED/First-Aid | Severe Bleeding | Tourniquets

Tourniquets, Pressure and Bandaging

Controlling Bleeding by Direct Pressure and Bandaging

Follow these steps to help someone who is bleeding:

• ● Make sure the scene is safe
• ● Get the first aid kit, or have someone else get it if they are available
• ● Put on personal protective equipment (PPE)
• ● If they can, ask the injured person to apply pressure to the wound, while you put on your PPE. Apply dressings from your first aid kit. Put pressure on the dressings over the bleeding area. Use the flat part of your fingers or the palm of your hand
• ● If the bleeding does not stop, add a second dressing and press harder. Do not remove a dressing once in place. You may cause the wound to bleed more. Instead, keep pressure on the wound until it stops
• ● Once the bleeding has stopped, or if you can’t keep pressure on the wound, firmly wrap a bandage over the dressings to hold them in place
• ● If the cut is minor, wash the area with soap and water before applying a dressing to it

Using a Tourniquet

When an arm or leg won’t stop bleeding, you can use a tourniquet. Make sure to call 9-1-1 and get an AED if possible, uncontrolled bleeding can lead to more complications.

Your first aid kit should contain a pre-made tourniquet. It should have two main components: One is a strap that is wrapped around the injured person’s arm or leg. The other is a straight, stick-like object called a windlass, which is used to tighten it. If used correctly, a tourniquet should stem the flow of blood. It is also likely to cause pain as the bleeding stops.

Once the tourniquet is in place, note the time and leave it alone.

Applying a Pre-made Tourniquet

Follow these 7 steps when using a pre-made tourniquet on an injured person.

• 1: Make sure the scene is safe
• 2: Call 9-1-1, get your first aid kit and an AED if available if available
• 3: Put on your PPE
• 4: Place the tourniquet approximately 2 inches above the injury
• 5: Tighten it until the bleeding stops
• 6: Note what time the tourniquet was placed
• 7: Once it is in place, and the bleeding has stopped, leave it alone until someone with more advanced training arrives and takes over

Making and Applying a Tourniquet

If you don’t have a pre-made tourniquet, you can make one. Follow steps 1-3 as normal.

• 1: Make sure the scene is safe
• 2: Call 9-1-1, get your first aid kit and an AED if available
• 3: Put on your PPE

After doing all of this, it’s time to make the tourniquet.

• 4: Fold a cloth or bandage so that it’s long and at least 1 inch wide
• 5: Wrap the bandage about 2 inches above the injury
• 6: Tie the ends of the bandage to a stick-like item. It can be a small hand tool, a stick, or something similar. This will work as a windlass.
• 7: Turn it until the bleeding stops
• 8: Secure the makeshift windlass so that the tourniquet stays tight
• 9: Note the time that it was placed
• 10: Leave it alone until someone with more advanced training arrives and takes over