To control severe bleeding, first you should

To control severe bleeding, first you should

• A. apply direct pressure on the wound
• B. apply a tourniquet to all wounds
• C. rinse with water
• D. elevate with no direct pressure

Answer: (A)

The first step in controlling severe bleeding is to apply direct pressure on the wound. Pressing firmly with a clean cloth or gauze directly over the injury slows the flow of blood by compressing the injured vessels and helps start the natural clotting process. Keep applying steady pressure for several minutes, and if the cloth becomes soaked, place more dressings on top without lifting the initial layer to maintain the pressure. Rinsing with water isn’t a method for stopping active bleeding, and elevating the limb alone won’t reliably stop blood flow. A tourniquet is a critical, life-saving tool but should be used only when direct pressure cannot control the bleeding or when you’re trained to apply it properly; it’s not the first step for every wound.

The first step in controlling severe bleeding is to apply direct pressure on the wound. Pressing firmly with a clean cloth or gauze directly over the injury slows the flow of blood by compressing the injured vessels and helps start the natural clotting process. Keep applying steady pressure for several minutes, and if the cloth becomes soaked, place more dressings on top without lifting the initial layer to maintain the pressure.

Rinsing with water isn’t a method for stopping active bleeding, and elevating the limb alone won’t reliably stop blood flow. A tourniquet is a critical, life-saving tool but should be used only when direct pressure cannot control the bleeding or when you’re trained to apply it properly; it’s not the first step for every wound.