All first-aid topics

Severe bleeding

Wound bleeding heavily, blood loss

Heavy bleeding can be life-threatening in minutes. Direct, hard pressure on the wound is the single most important thing you can do.

Call 108

Call or have a bystander call. Tell them severe bleeding and where you are.

Press hard on the wound

Use a clean cloth, shirt, or your hand. Push down firmly. Don't let up to peek — keep pressing.

Raise the wound if possible

Lift the injured limb above the level of the heart, only if it doesn't increase pain or look like a broken bone.

Add cloth on top — never remove

If blood soaks through, place another cloth on top and keep pressing. Removing soaked cloth disturbs the clot.

Keep them warm and still

Lay them down. Cover with a jacket or blanket. Reassure them. Watch their breathing.

If bleeding doesn't slow

Keep pressing. Apply a tourniquet ONLY if you've been trained and bleeding from an arm or leg won't stop. Never on the neck, chest or stomach.

These are short summaries, not training. Always call 108 in a life-threatening situation. If you've been trained in first-aid, follow your training.

Other guides

Call 108 — Ambulance