Do-This-Now Plan
Adult/Teen first aid. For infants/young kids, principles are similar (direct pressure / wound packing; tourniquet on limbs only).
0) First move
Call 112 and go hands-on
- 📱Call 112 (speakerphone) so your hands stay on the wound.
1) Stop the bleeding — priority order
Direct pressure → Pack deep/junction wounds → Tourniquet (limbs only)
- ✋Expose & press: Firm, direct pressure with cloth/gauze. Do not lift to check.
- 🧱Embedded object: Do not remove; press around and bandage to stabilize.
- 🩹Pack the wound (groin/armpit/neck/shoulder or deep limb hole): Stuff hemostatic gauze to bleeding source, then hold firm pressure 3–5 min (follow label). Leave in place.
- 🧷Tourniquet (CAT/SOF-T): 5–7 cm above wound, not on joint. Tighten until bleeding stops; don’t loosen. Apply a second above if needed. Note time.
2) While you control bleeding
Prevent shock & monitor breathing
- 🛌Lay flat (or comfort position if breathing hard), raise legs slightly if no pelvis/leg/spine injury, keep warm, no food/drink.
If unresponsive
Start CPR immediately
Center chest • 100–120/min • ≥ 5 cm (2 in) • full recoil • use AED.
3) Special situations
Amputation care
- 🧊Wrap severed part in clean, damp gauze → seal in bag → place that bag on ice (not directly in water/ice). Send with patient.
4) What NOT to do
Avoid these mistakes
- 🧻Don’t remove packed dressing if it seeps—add more and keep pressing.
- 🚫No tourniquet on head/neck/torso—limbs only.
- 🥤No pills or drinks; wait for EMS.
- 💊Avoid aspirin/NSAIDs.
5) Build a simple “Bleed Kit”
What to keep at home/clinic
- 🩹Hemostatic gauze (kaolin/chitosan)—firm pressure 3–5 min.
- 🧷Commercial windlass tourniquet (CAT/SOF-T).
- 📦Pressure bandage (Israeli), roller bandage, medical tape.
- 🧤Nitrile gloves, trauma shears, gauze pads, triangular bandage, marker, foil blanket.