If you suspect the person has injuries that are causing internal bleeding, let medical help know when you call. There might be internal bleeding if you notice the person coughing up blood, vomiting, or bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, or mouth. Any sudden bruising along with swelling of the back, abdomen, or an arm or leg are also further signs of internal bleeding. [4] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
Airways: Check for obstructions to the injured person’s airways. Is there a foreign object in the way? Are there external or internal fractures preventing airflow? Breathing: Check if they are breathing. Is their chest rising and falling? Do they need additional oxygen? Circulation: Check that the injured person has adequate blood circulation. Do they have a pulse? Are they conscious? Disability: Check for signs of brain trauma. Are they conscious? Are their pupils dilated? Exposure/Environment: Check to see if they are injured elsewhere or at further risk. Are they protected from cold or hot? Are they restricted by their own clothes or dangerous elements?
Airways: Check for obstructions to the injured person’s airways. Is there a foreign object in the way? Are there external or internal fractures preventing airflow? Breathing: Check if they are breathing. Is their chest rising and falling? Do they need additional oxygen? Circulation: Check that the injured person has adequate blood circulation. Do they have a pulse? Are they conscious? Disability: Check for signs of brain trauma. Are they conscious? Are their pupils dilated? Exposure/Environment: Check to see if they are injured elsewhere or at further risk. Are they protected from cold or hot? Are they restricted by their own clothes or dangerous elements?
Airways: Check for obstructions to the injured person’s airways. Is there a foreign object in the way? Are there external or internal fractures preventing airflow? Breathing: Check if they are breathing. Is their chest rising and falling? Do they need additional oxygen? Circulation: Check that the injured person has adequate blood circulation. Do they have a pulse? Are they conscious? Disability: Check for signs of brain trauma. Are they conscious? Are their pupils dilated? Exposure/Environment: Check to see if they are injured elsewhere or at further risk. Are they protected from cold or hot? Are they restricted by their own clothes or dangerous elements?
Airways: Check for obstructions to the injured person’s airways. Is there a foreign object in the way? Are there external or internal fractures preventing airflow? Breathing: Check if they are breathing. Is their chest rising and falling? Do they need additional oxygen? Circulation: Check that the injured person has adequate blood circulation. Do they have a pulse? Are they conscious? Disability: Check for signs of brain trauma. Are they conscious? Are their pupils dilated? Exposure/Environment: Check to see if they are injured elsewhere or at further risk. Are they protected from cold or hot? Are they restricted by their own clothes or dangerous elements?
Airways: Check for obstructions to the injured person’s airways. Is there a foreign object in the way? Are there external or internal fractures preventing airflow? Breathing: Check if they are breathing. Is their chest rising and falling? Do they need additional oxygen? Circulation: Check that the injured person has adequate blood circulation. Do they have a pulse? Are they conscious? Disability: Check for signs of brain trauma. Are they conscious? Are their pupils dilated? Exposure/Environment: Check to see if they are injured elsewhere or at further risk. Are they protected from cold or hot? Are they restricted by their own clothes or dangerous elements?
Airways: Check for obstructions to the injured person’s airways. Is there a foreign object in the way? Are there external or internal fractures preventing airflow? Breathing: Check if they are breathing. Is their chest rising and falling? Do they need additional oxygen? Circulation: Check that the injured person has adequate blood circulation. Do they have a pulse? Are they conscious? Disability: Check for signs of brain trauma. Are they conscious? Are their pupils dilated? Exposure/Environment: Check to see if they are injured elsewhere or at further risk. Are they protected from cold or hot? Are they restricted by their own clothes or dangerous elements?
Airways: Check for obstructions to the injured person’s airways. Is there a foreign object in the way? Are there external or internal fractures preventing airflow? Breathing: Check if they are breathing. Is their chest rising and falling? Do they need additional oxygen? Circulation: Check that the injured person has adequate blood circulation. Do they have a pulse? Are they conscious? Disability: Check for signs of brain trauma. Are they conscious? Are their pupils dilated? Exposure/Environment: Check to see if they are injured elsewhere or at further risk. Are they protected from cold or hot? Are they restricted by their own clothes or dangerous elements?
Always be careful when handling someone else’s blood. Since blood can carry disease-causing pathogens, take steps to wash your hands and protect yourself. [8] X Research source Never re-use plastic or surgical gloves, since doing so can spread infection. If you do not have disposable gloves, try using something like plastic wrap to put a barrier between your hands and the wound. [9] X Research source
Keep applying pressure without removing the cloth to check on the bleeding. If you take the bandage off, you could disturb clots that are forming to stop the bleeding. [12] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source
If the bleeding is near a leg, press and hold against the femoral artery in the groin, where the leg bends at the hip. If the bleeding is near an arm, press and hold against the brachial artery, along the inside of the upper arm.
An easy-to-use combat tourniquet is now available for civilian purchase. If you can get one, buy a Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) and learn how to use it. When paramedics or other help arrives, let them know how long the tourniquet has been in place.
Remember, if you must move the injured person yourself, immobilize the wound site. If possible, wait until after the bleeding has stopped to move the person. Don’t remove any bandages before taking the person to the emergency room. [20] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source Removing them could cause bleeding to restart. If the person is alert, ask about any medicine they are taking or any known medical problems, also any known drug allergies. This can keep them distracted while you wait for help and is important information you can then pass on to medical professionals.
