What immediate action should you take for severe external bleeding during a call?

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Multiple Choice

What immediate action should you take for severe external bleeding during a call?

The key action in severe external bleeding on a call is to apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or dressing and keep applying firm pressure until the bleeding stops. This physical pressure helps the blood vessels constrict and promotes clotting, which is the quickest way to control heavy bleeding. If the bleed cannot be controlled with continuous pressure, or the person shows life-threatening signs, call 999 immediately and keep applying pressure while help is on the way. Do not remove dressings that become soaked; instead, add more clean material on top and maintain pressure. Elevating the limb isn’t the primary step for severe bleeding—pressure comes first. Rinsing with water or applying heat won’t stop the bleeding and can make things worse.

The key action in severe external bleeding on a call is to apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or dressing and keep applying firm pressure until the bleeding stops. This physical pressure helps the blood vessels constrict and promotes clotting, which is the quickest way to control heavy bleeding. If the bleed cannot be controlled with continuous pressure, or the person shows life-threatening signs, call 999 immediately and keep applying pressure while help is on the way. Do not remove dressings that become soaked; instead, add more clean material on top and maintain pressure. Elevating the limb isn’t the primary step for severe bleeding—pressure comes first. Rinsing with water or applying heat won’t stop the bleeding and can make things worse.

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