Treating Bleeding+Shock

Describe Capillary Bleeding

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in your body; they are about as thin as the hairs on your head. When a minor scrape or cut opens some capillaries, the bleeding is almost always very slow and small in quantity. Your body's natural clotting mechanism is able to stop most cases of capillary bleeding within seconds to minutes.

Describe Venous Bleeding

Deep cuts have the potential to cut open veins. A cut vein typically results in a steady but relatively slow flow of dark red blood. The best way to stop most cases of venous bleeding is to put direct pressure on the wound.

Describe Arterial Bleeding

This is the least common and most dangerous type of bleeding. It involves bright red blood that comes out in large volume, and in spurts that correspond with each beat of your heart. In most cases of arterial bleeding, direct and extremely firm pressure on the wound is the best way of stopping it. If direct pressure is not applied, a severe arterial wound can cause you to bleed to death within a few minutes.

Addressing Severe Bleeding: Select the first step neccessary

If possible, have the bleeding person lie down and position his or her head so that it is slightly lower than the trunk. Also, try to elevate his or her legs. Taking these measures will help to increase blood flow to the brain, which will decrease the chance of fainting.

Do not stop applying firm and direct pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops. When it does stop, use adhesive tape or clothing to secure the dressing (whatever you used) in place

Once the bleeding has stopped, do your best to immobilize the injured area and leave everything as it is until professional treatment becomes available.

What are the causes of shock?

Shock can develop when the heart pump fails to work properly, causing a reduction in the pressure of the circulating blood. The most common cause of this type of shock is a heart attack. Shock can develop as a result of a reduction in the volume of fluid circulating around the body. The most common examples of this are external or internal bleeding, or loss of other bodily fluids through severe diarrhoea, vomiting, or burns. The blood supply is diverted from the surface to the core of the body. The main symptoms and signs of shock relate to such redistribution of the circulation.

As shock develops, there may be...

Weakness and giddiness. Nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Thirst. Rapid, shallow breathing. A weak, ‘thready’ pulse. When the pulse at the wrist disappears, fluid loss may equal half the blood volume.

Recognition of Shock Initially, a flow of adrenaline causes what?

A rapid pulse. Pale, grey skin, especially inside the lips. If pressure is applied to a fingernail or earlobe, it will not regain its colour immediately. Sweating, and cold, clammy skin (sweat does not evaporate).

As the oxygen supply to the brain weakens what to look for?

The casualty may become restless, anxious and aggressive. The casualty may yawn and gasp for air (‘air hunger’). The casualty will eventually become unconscious. Finally, the heart will stop.

Steps to treatment?

DO NOT let the casualty move unnecessarily, eat, drink, or smoke. DO NOT leave the casualty unattended. Reassure the casualty constantly.

Treating Bleeding+Shock

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