Pressure Points for Severe Bleeding When you apply pressure to an artery, you stop bleeding by pushing the artery against bone. Press down firmly on the artery between the bleeding site and the heart. If there is severe bleeding, also apply firm pressure directly to the bleeding site.
Major carotid artery injury leads to a large amount of “spring-like” or projectile bleeding with obvious swelling in the neck; applying rapid tamponade and local pressure for hemostasis are crucial in on-site first aid.
Bleeding from most injuries can be stopped by applying direct pressure to the injury. This keeps from cutting off the blood supply to the affected limb. When there is severe bleeding, where a major artery has been severed, pressure may be insufficient and a tourniquet may be necessary.
» Femoral artery (groin) If the bleeding is from the leg, press with the heel of one hand on the femoral artery in the groin where the leg bends at the hip. » Brachial artery (inside upper arm) If the bleeding is from the arm, squeeze the brachial artery located on the inside of the upper arm.
When you apply pressure to an artery, you stop bleeding by pushing the artery against bone. Press down firmly on the artery between the bleeding site and the heart. If there is severe bleeding, also apply firm pressure directly to the bleeding site.
To treat arterial bleeding, apply direct pressure. If the patient is able, ask them to hold a thick pad or dressing in place while you secure it with roller gauze. Do not lift the dressing to see if the bleeding has stopped.
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.
The most effective way of applying pressure is by hand, but this is not practical for prolonged periods. A traditional pressure dressing of gauze and bandage is often ineffective in providing point pressure and may result in a tourniquet effect as bandages are repeatedly tightened.
Apply steady, direct pressure and elevate the area for a full 15 minutes. Use a clock-15 minutes can seem like a long time. Resist the urge to peek after a few minutes to see whether bleeding has stopped. If blood soaks through the cloth, apply another one without lifting the first.
You could have pressed on the carotid sinus and triggered heart slowing or heart stoppage, along with a drop in blood pressure. That brought you to your knees. Doctors sometimes massage the carotid sinus to put an end to a rapid heartbeat. Doing it unknowingly and doing it when alone can be dangerous.
In carotid stenting, a surgeon sends a long, hollow tube, known as a catheter, through the arteries to the narrowed carotid artery in the neck. The surgeon then puts a small wire mesh coil, known as a stent, into the vessel to keep the artery from narrowing again.
Up to 40% of carotid punctures are associated with uncontrollable bleeding or hematoma. This, in conjunction with manual pressure, can lead to cerebrovascular neurologic deficit (27%) and death (20%–40%).
This area contains the Carotid Artery and Jugular Vein. If either is cut the attacker will bleed to death very rapidly. The Carotid is approximately 1.5″ below the surface of the skin, and if severed unconsciousness, will result in death in approximately 5-15 seconds.
If a tourniquet is applied but the bleeding doesn't stop, try twisting the tourniquet more and see if that helps. If it doesn't, you can apply a second tourniquet immediately below the first one. Even if the first tourniquet has failed, do not remove it.
Your teacher will show you how to find the radial, brachial, femoral and popliteal pressure points.
According to the guidelines, the standard method to control open bleeding is to apply direct pressure to the bleeding site until the bleeding stops. Tourniquets should be used when direct pressure does not control severe external limb bleeding.
The tourniquet should be at least 5cm above the wound, or 5cm above the joint if the wound is on the lower limb. Never place a tourniquet over a joint.
Tourniquets should generally remain inflated less than 2 hours, with most authors suggesting a maximal time of 1.5 to 2 hours. Techniques such as hourly release of the tourniquet for 10 minutes, cooling of the affected limb, and alternating dual cuffs may reduce the risk of injury.
Arteries are located deeper in the body than veins and so are not visible as many of your veins are. You'll know you hit an artery if: The plunger of your syringe is forced back by the pressure of the blood. When you register, the blood in your syringe is bright red and 'gushing.
One caution about massage. The carotid arteries, which run along either side of the neck, have nerve endings that respond to changes in blood pressure. Massaging these sensors can decrease the heart rate, sometimes enough to cause fainting.