When using direct pressure to control non-life-threatening bleeding from an open wound, you should:

This week is Wound Awareness Week, a time to get people talking about the rising issue of wounds. In addition, Wound Awareness Week is to reach out to all, to help us spread awareness of what wounds are, who’s at risk, and what someone should do if they have a wound that won’t heal. Learn how to successfully provide emergency First Aid for a casualty suffering wounds or bleeding: Bitesize Wounds and Bleeding eLearning.

What exactly is an open wound?

An open wound is an injury involving an external or internal break in body tissue, usually involving the skin. Nearly everyone will experience an open wound at some point in their life. Most open wounds are minor and can be treated at home. However, in certain situations (such as one involving a major wound), immediate medical attention may be necessary. Read How to Provide First Aid to a Major Wound.​

Falls, accidents with sharp objects, and car accidents are the most common causes of open wounds. In the case of a serious accident, you should seek immediate medical care. This is especially true if there’s a lot of bleeding or if bleeding lasts for longer than 20 minutes.

When talking about wounds, there are four types of open wounds that need to be considered:

Abrasion

Laceration

Puncture
A deep wound that occurs due to something sharp and pointed, such as a nail. The opening on the skin is small, and the puncture wound may not bleed much.

Avulsion
An avulsion is a partial or complete tearing away of skin and the tissue beneath. Avulsions usually occur during violent accidents, such as body-crushing accidents, explosions, and gunshots. They bleed heavily and rapidly.

It’s important to note that First Aid treatment differs depending on the type of wound.

Seek immediate medical attention if you or someone in your family has any of these signs:

Wounds can happen in a moment. Whether experiencing a major or minor wound, the following First Aid methods that can be applied to treat an open wound.

Minor Open Wounds

Grazes

1. Wash hands to rid of any bacteria
2. Wash graze with warm water and gentle soap using a gauze
3. Put on a dressing to cover it once it’s cleaned; this can be either a band-aid or bandage, depending on the severity of the graze

Cuts

1. Wash hands to rid of any bacteria
2. Apply pressure to the cut
3. Wash cut with warm water and gentle soap using a gauze
4. Apply bandage to the cut
5. If the cut continues to bleed, seek medical advice.

1. Apply pressure to the surrounding area of the protruding object to control bleeding
2. Position padding around the object to prevent the object from twisting or moving, bandage over and around the padding to secure the foreign object
3. If the object is quite long, ensure the bandaging around the object has positioned it securely
4. Seek medical assistance, if severe injury or if you’re unable to safely move the casualty; call triple zero (000)

DO NOTs when providing First Aid for Embedded Objects

• DO NOT remove the embedded object as it may be preventing significant blood loss. The removal of the object could also cause major structural and nerve damage. It must always be completed by a professional
• DO NOT put any pressure on the object
• DO NOT cut the end of the object unless it’s completely unmanageable and causes you or medical professionals difficulty in moving the casualty

1. Remove any clothing covering the wound
2. Keep the wound as clean as possible - if possible, do not use dirty clothing or materials
3. If the wound is not bleeding, clean around it
4. If the wound is bleeding, apply gauze around the wound and apply pressure to control bleeding
5. DO NOT try to remove any foreign materials found in the wound
6. Check if there is an exit wound on the opposite side of the opening
7. Apply a sterile dressing
8. Ensure casualty is seated in a comfortable position
9. Seek medical assistance; call triple zero (000) if blood loss is severe

It’s important to be mindful that open wounds can become infected from the bacterial colonies present on the skin, so when treating a wound, it’s vital to practice proper sanitation to prevent any further infection.

Take any clean cloth (e.g. shirt) and cover the wound.

• • If the wound is large and deep, try to "stuff" the cloth down into the wound.

 

Apply continuous pressure with both hands directly on top of the bleeding wound.

• • Push down as hard as you can.
  • Hold pressure to stop bleeding. Continue pressure until relieved by medical responders.

Last Updated: 6/1/21

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• Always call triple zero (000) in an emergency.
• First aid for severe external bleeding includes direct pressure on the wound maintained by using pads and bandages, and raising the injured area above the level of the heart if possible.
• First aid for internal bleeding includes laying the person down, raising their legs above the level of their heart and not giving them anything to eat or drink.

Bleeding is the loss of blood from the circulatory system. Causes can range from small cuts and abrasions to deep cuts and amputations. Injuries to the body can also result in internal bleeding, which can range from minor (seen as superficial bruising) to massive bleeds. First aid for severe external or internal bleeding is critical in order to limit the loss of blood until emergency medical aid arrives. First aid actions to manage external bleeding include applying direct pressure to the wound, maintaining the pressure using pads and bandages, and, raising the injured limb above the level of the heart if possible.

Minor bleeding

Small cuts and abrasions that are not bleeding excessively can be managed at home. First aid suggestions include:

• Clean the injured area with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline or clean water. Do not use cotton wool or any material that will fray or leave fluff in the wound.
• Apply an appropriate dressing such as a band aid or a non-adhesive dressing held in place with a hypoallergenic tape. This dressing must be changed regularly.
• See your doctor if you can’t remove the dirt yourself. A dirty wound carries a high risk of infection.
• If you have not had a booster vaccine against tetanus in the last five years, see your doctor.

Nosebleeds

Bleeding from the nose is usually not severe. First aid suggestions include:

• Sit the person upright and ask them to tilt their head forward.
• Using the thumb and forefinger, squeeze their nostrils shut.
• Hold for at least 10 minutes.
• Release the hold gently and check for bleeding. If the bleeding has stopped, advise them to avoid blowing their nose or picking at it for the rest of the day.
• If the bleeding continues beyond 20 minutes, seek medical aid.
• If the nose bleed occurs again, seek medical aid.

Severe external bleeding

Even a small injury can result in severe external bleeding, depending on where it is on the body. This can lead to shock. In medical terms, shock means the injured person no longer has enough blood circulating around their body. Shock is a life-threatening medical emergency.

First aid management for severe external bleeding includes:

• Check for danger before approaching the injured person. Put on a pair of gloves, nitrile ones, if available.
• If possible, send someone else to call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
• Lie the person down. If a limb is injured, raise the injured area above the level of the person’s heart (if possible).
• Get the person to apply direct pressure to the wound with their hand or hands to stem the blood flow. If the person can’t do it, apply direct pressure yourself.
• You may need to pull the edges of the wound together before applying a dressing or pad. Secure it firmly with a bandage.
• If an object is embedded in the wound, do not remove it. Apply pressure around the object.
• Do not apply a tourniquet.
• If blood saturates the initial dressing, do not remove it. Add fresh padding over the top and secure with a bandage.

Internal bleeding – visible

The most common type of visible internal bleed is a bruise, when blood from damaged blood vessels leaks into the surrounding skin. Some types of internal injury can cause visible bleeding from an orifice (body opening). For example:

• bowel injury – bleeding from the anus
• head injury – bleeding from the ears or nose
• lung injury – coughing up frothy, bloodied sputum (spit)
• urinary tract injury – blood in the urine.

Internal bleeding – not visible

It is important to remember that an injured person may be bleeding internally even if you can’t see any blood. An internal injury can sometimes cause bleeding that remains contained within the body; for example, within the skull or abdominal cavity. Listen carefully to what the person tells you about their injury – where they felt the impact, for example. They may display the signs and symptoms of shock. In the case of a head injury, they may display the signs and symptoms of concussion. Therefore, it is important to ask the right questions to collect the relevant information.

Symptoms of concealed internal bleeding

The signs and symptoms that suggest concealed internal bleeding depend on where the bleeding is inside the body, but may include:

• pain at the injured site
• swollen, tight abdomen
• nausea and vomiting
• pale, clammy, sweaty skin
• breathlessness
• extreme thirst
• unconsciousness.

Some signs and symptoms specific to concussion (caused by trauma to the head) include:

• headache or dizziness
• loss of memory, particularly of the event
• confusion
• altered state of consciousness
• wounds on the head (face and scalp)
• nausea and vomiting.

Internal bleeding is a medical emergency

First aid cannot manage or treat any kind of internal bleeding. Prompt medical help is vital. Suggestions include:

• Check for danger before approaching the person.
• If possible, send someone else to call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
• Check that the person is conscious.
• Lie the person down.
• Cover them with a blanket or something to keep them warm.
• If possible, raise the person’s legs above the level of their heart.
• Don’t give the person anything to eat or drink.
• Offer reassurance. Manage any other injuries, if possible.
• If the person becomes unconscious, place them on their side. Check breathing frequently. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary.

Spread of disease through bleeding

Some diseases can be spread through open wounds. Remember:

• If possible, wash your hands with soap and water before and especially after administering first aid. Dry your hands thoroughly before putting on gloves.
• First aid kits contain gloves. Always put on gloves beforehand if available. If not, improvise.
• Do not cough or sneeze over the wound.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, call triple zero (000)
• Emergency department of the nearest hospital
• Your doctor
• For first aid training, St John Ambulance Australia (Victoria) Tel. 1300 360 455
• For first aid training, Australian Red Cross Tel. 1300 367 428

Things to remember

• Always call triple zero (000) in an emergency.
• First aid for severe external bleeding includes direct pressure on the wound maintained by using pads and bandages, and raising the injured area above the level of the heart if possible.
• First aid for internal bleeding includes laying the person down, raising their legs above the level of their heart and not giving them anything to eat or drink.

• First aid – bleeding, Child and Youth Health SA. More information here.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

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