First Aid For Bleeding

HEADLINE TEXT

BLEEDING

Learning Objectives
''At the end of this session you should be able to''
. list the problems that result from bleeding
. give First Aid for external bleeding
. give First Aid for internal bleeding
. state the danger signs
. identify the appropriate place of referral demonstrate to your family and your community how to prevent and treat the problems of bleeding

INFORMATION
Giving First Aid to people who are bleeding helps them to get better quickly by preventing these problems:
. blood loss
. infection
. severe pain
. shock
Excessive blood loss, infection and shock can result in death.

FIRST AID

''Part A'' : External Bleed''Italic text''ing
External bleeding is bleeding from a wound'through the skin. '
Each time you give First Aid, you should wash your hands before and after, and remember to 'Protect Yourself and Others'
Wash the cut. Gently wash away any dirt with clean water and soap.If you see a person with a SMALL CUT, this is what to do:
1.Wash the cut. Gently wash away any dirt with clean water and soap.
2. If it is a small graze leave it open to dry. If necessary cover with a small plaster.
3. Check that bleeding has stopped.
4. Look for other injuries

If you see a person has a CUT and is ''BLEEDING HEAVILY'', you can do this
1.Press hard onto the wound to stop the bleeding.
2. If an arm or leg is cut, elevate the limb.
3. Cover with a clean pad and apply a bandage.
4. Check that the bleeding has stopped. If it has not, add another pad, and bandage, DO NOT remove previous bandage.
5. If you have bandaged a limb, check frequently that the fingers and toes remain warm. If fingers and toes are getting cold, loosen the bandage to let the blood circulate.
6. Refer to the health centre for stitches and immunization against Tetanus keeping the limb raised.

If you see a person has a CUT with a BROKEN BONE STICKING OUT, you can do this:
1. Ask someone to help you support the broken arm or leg.
2. Place clean gauze or cloth, over the cut and bone.
3. Build up padding around the bone and gently bandage the pad in place.
4. Keep the injured part still
5. Check frequently that the fingers and toes remain warm.
6. Transport the person to the health centre without moving the injured part.

If you see a person has CUT with an OBJECT STICKING OUT, you can do this:
1. Pinch the cut around the object (but do NOT press on the cut).
2. Place clean gauze, or cloth, loosely over the cut and object.
3. Build up padding around the object and bandage the pad in place (but do NOT pull the object out).
4. 'Keep the injured part raised.
5. If you think there may be a broken bone keep the injured part still.
6. Check frequently that fingers and toes remain warm.
7. Refer the person to the health centre

Part B: Internal Bleeding

There are times when bleeding occurs inside the body. Sometimes the blood will leak from inside the body through natural openings. Other times the blood stays inside the body, causing pain and shock, even though you still cannot see the blood loss.

A person may be loosing blood inside their body if one of these things happens:
. blood comes out of the nose or mouth
. blood comes out of the ear
. blood is in the stool
. blood is in the urine
. bright red blood, or blood like 'coffee-grounds', is in the vomit
. blood comes from a woman's birth canal after an injury or during pregnancy.
But remember, a person may be bleeding inside the body, even though you cannot see the bleeding. If you see the signs of shock (page 101) and no apparent injuries, always suspect internal bleeding. Check the skin color changes. In cases of internal bleeding the skin becomes pale.

''If a person has NOSEBLEED, you can do this:''
1.Ask the person to sit down, sit forward, and to avoid swallowing the blood because it will make the person sick.
2.Get the person to pinch on the soft part of the nose, with their fingers and thumb, to lean forward and breathe through the mouth. Help the person to do this for 10 minutes.
3. Ask the person not sniff or blow the nose.
4. After the bleeding has stopped, teach the person not to touch or blow the nose or to sniff for a few hours.
5. If the bleeding does not stop after 30 minutes, refer the person to a health centre.

''If the person is bleeding from the EAR, you can do this:''
1.Ask the person to sit or lie down and to tilt the head so the bleeding ear is down.
2.Wash your hands.
3.Bandage the ear lightly with a bandage and clean cloth. Do NOT poke the bandage inside the ear.
4.If there is a little bleeding from a scratch on the outside of the ear, there is no need to refer the person to the health centre.

''If the person has any bleeding from the inside of the ear refer the person to the health centre immediately.

If a person is passing blood in their stool, urine, vomit, or cough, refer the person to the health centre.

If a pregnant woman is bleeding from the birth canal, contact the midwife and refer the pregnant woman to the health centre immediately.''

DANGER - REFERRAL
1. Bleeding is heavy, or continuous, and does not stop after you have pressed hard for 10-15 minutes.
.2. The cut becomes infected. If this happens the area around the cut will become hot, swollen and painful. There may be pus coming out. The person may have a fever.
3. Extreme pain.
4. Shock-the person becomes pale, weak, cold and clammy and shivers.
5. The person becomes drowsy or unconscious.
6. Any bleeding from the birth canal in a pregnant woman.
7. Any bleeding leaking out from a natural opening.

DEMONSTRATE
''As an Individual''
Always wash your hands before and after giving First Aid. Remember to 'PROTECT SELF and OTHERS'.

''As a Member of Your Community''
Demonstrate First Aid for cuts to children, people in workplaces, and community groups.

''Give First Aid for nosebleeds and bleeding from the ear'' at sports day and football matches.

Help all childbearing women to see a midwife and go to the health centre.
Look at ways of preventing accidents in your community.
'''
In Your National Society'''
Demonstrate the First Aid for injuries which you have found to be the most common in your community.

''In Times of Disaster''
Always be prepared.
Have your First Aid kit ready.
''
REMEMBER!

Wash your hands.
Protect yourself and others''

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First Aid For Bleeding

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