Stop bleeding - this is what instructors first of all talk about when teaching first aid for injuries and accidents. What types of bleeding are and first aid for them - that's what will be discussed below.
Types of bleeding
First, let's look at what bleeding is and how dangerous it is. In medicine, there are several classifications. At the same time, bleeding from an injured arm or leg, familiar to everyone, is just a special case.
Types of bleeding. First aid for bleeding depends on what kind of vessel was damaged, in what place and how intense the bleeding.
Separation according to the place of blood leakage:
- outer;
- domestic.
Separation by type of damaged vessels:
- venous;
- arterial;
- capillary;
- parenchymal;
- mixed.
By the nature of the process that led tobleeding:
- traumatic;
- pathological.
Severity:
- light - up to 500 ml;
- medium - up to 1 l;
- heavy - up to 1.5 l;
- massive - up to 2.5 l;
- fatal - up to 3 liters (which is 50-60% of the total blood volume);
- absolutely lethal: 3 to 3.5 liters (over 60% of the total volume).
For young children, blood loss of about 250 ml is considered dangerous.
General signs of bleeding
In case of blood loss, general signs appear:
- weak pulse;
- palpitations;
- dizziness;
- lower blood pressure;
- fainting.
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, so-called temporary stopping methods are used. Depending on the type of bleeding, first aid for bleeding may include the following techniques.
- Applying a tourniquet. Use a rubber band. It is applied in case of damage to the main arteries of the limbs or extensive bleeding that cannot be stopped by other means. The first coil is applied tightly, a few cm above the bleeding site. A tissue is placed under the tourniquet so as not to injure the limb. The next turns are made with minimal tension, the tourniquet is fixed,leaving it in plain sight. Attach a note indicating the time - do not clamp the artery for more than 2 hours.
- Before applying a tourniquet or if the damage is in an inaccessible place, the artery is clamped by pressing the thumb or fist against the bone protrusion above the injury site.
- Maximum bending of the limb, pinch the vessel. At the same time, a tissue roller, bandage or a small cylindrical object is placed in the place of the fold for better compression.
- Ice is applied to the damaged area through the tissue to cause constriction of all vessels.
- A swab and pressure bandage are used for light bleeding. The swab, if necessary, is moistened with cold water, a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide, or a hemostatic sponge is used. When the bandage is soaked with blood, a new bandage is applied over the old one.
If serious types of bleeding are observed, first aid should be provided as soon as possible. Sometimes minutes count. How to understand how dangerous the situation is? To do this, it is necessary to distinguish one type of bleeding from another.
Arterial
Damage to the arteries causes dangerous types of bleeding. First aid for bleeding from the main vessel is to press the artery with your finger, bend the limb or apply a tourniquet. If the relief measures are performed correctly, then the bleeding stops immediately, when a tourniquet is applied, the limb below the site turns pale, becomes cold.
In case of damage to the arterydeath 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? The blood is bright scarlet, flowing out in a strong pulsating stream.
Venous
Venous bleeding: first aid, types and signs, ways to stop differ from arterial bleeding in the following points.
- Blood has a dark cherry tint, flows in a continuous stream or oozes.
- In case of extensive injuries 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 similar to those for venous.
- Blood oozing from the wound, color is neutral red.
- Stop method - pressure bandage, cold, tamponade.
Dangerous such vascular damage only with internal bleeding or poor blood clotting.
Nosebleed
This 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 a nosebleed, the firsthelp with bleeding, types and ways to stop it are as follows.
- Breathe through your mouth only.
- Do not swallow blood.
- Pinch the nostrils for 5-10 minutes.
- Put a cold compress on the nose, on the back of the head.
- Gently stick a cotton swab moistened with a solution of hydrogen peroxide 3%.
When applying a cold compress, tampons keep the head in a slightly tilted state. In other cases, tilt a little so that the blood flows out of the nose and not into the throat.
If the bleeding does not stop within 15 minutes, an ambulance must be called.
Internal bleeding
Types of bleeding, first aid for bleeding into 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, there are general signs of bleeding, abdominal pain. Position of the victim - lying on his back, legs half-bent.
- In both cases, put ice on the site of the alleged bleeding, provide a sufficient amount of fresh air. Keep the casu alty still.
- When blood flows into the muscles, swelling and hematoma form.
All cases of internal bleeding require immediate hospitalization.
Uterine bleeding
Different types of bleeding and first aid for disorders in the reproductive system of the female body require qualified medical care. The uterus is abundantly supplied with blood vessels, and it is not so easy to stop the bleeding. This requires the administration of drugs and often surgery.
Uterine bleeding is possible with inflammatory and degenerative processes in the uterus, hormonal disorders, pregnancy.
First aid measures:
- Take a lying position, raise your legs, placing a pillow under them.
- Put an ice pack or cold water bottle on the lower abdomen through a cloth. Keep ice for 10-15 minutes, then take a break for 5 minutes. Total keep cold for about 1-2 hours.
- To replenish blood loss, drinking plenty of water is recommended.
In field conditions, first aid for bleeding is very important. Emergency medicine involves the provision of competent assistance in conditions where it is impossible to quickly consult a doctor. When planning hiking trips, practicing various sports, hunting, fishing, you should have at your disposal a minimum set of medical supplies - a first aid kit. To stop bleeding, a tourniquet, bandage, and disinfectants are needed. A 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide will not only disinfect the wound, but will also help stop bleeding. To compress the vessels of the limbs, you can use improvised means: a clean cotton cloth, handkerchiefs, a scarf, a belt,clothes. Instead of a tourniquet, you can apply a twist using a strip of fabric and a stick.
In any case, if bleeding occurs, its type and degree of danger should be determined, if necessary, pinch the vessel with your finger and prepare means to stop the bleeding. In case of serious injuries, the victim should be taken to the first-aid post and then to the hospital. Counting on qualified medical care, you must 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 you have to deliver the victim to the nearest settlement on your own.
