1-13. Trauma / Bleeding Control

1) Extremity wounds

a) Apply direct pressure using a gloved hand or finger and very little gauze.

b) If direct pressure does not control the bleeding within 1-2 minutes, proceed quickly to a tourniquet (commercial tourniquet preferred).

c) Tourniquet should be placed proximally on the thigh or upper arm.

d) If 1st tourniquet does not stop the bleeding, apply an additional tourniquet close to the first one (proximally, if possible).

2) Wounds outside the chest and abdominal cavities (i.e. in the axilla or groin): do direct pressure first, then consider packing the wound by layering a roll of gauze into the wound, followed by application of direct pressure over the wound packing.