🩸 What Should I Do If Someone Is Bleeding Heavily?

Information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice and you should always seek appropriate professional help or seek immediate medical attention for serious conditions. See full disclaimer here.

Severe bleeding can be life-threatening, and acting quickly is critical.
Even a small wound can cause significant blood loss if a large vein or artery is damaged.
Your goal as a first aider is to control the bleeding, protect the casualty, and get professional help fast.

🚨 Step 1: Call for Help

If bleeding is severe or spurting, dial 999 or 112 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
If possible, get someone else to make the call while you focus on first aid.

When speaking to emergency services, clearly explain:

• The location of the casualty (include landmarks or What3Words if outdoors)

• The type and location of the injury

• How much blood loss there appears to be

✋ Step 2: Apply Direct Pressure

• Use a clean dressing or cloth (or your hand if nothing else is available) to apply firm, steady pressure directly over the wound.

• Do not remove the first dressing once applied — if it soaks through, place another on top.

• Encourage the casualty to apply pressure themselves if they are able.

If there’s an embedded object (like glass or metal), do not remove it — apply pressure around the object, not on top.

🦵 Step 3: Help Them Lie Down and Stay Calm

Blood loss can cause fainting or shock.
Encourage the person to lie down with their head low and legs raised slightly, if possible.
Reassure them and keep them as still as you can.

🩹 Step 4: Apply a Dressing or Bandage

Once bleeding is controlled:

1. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing or pad.

2. Wrap a bandage firmly over the dressing to maintain pressure.

3. If blood seeps through, add another layer — don’t remove the first one.

🩰 Step 5: Elevate (If Possible)

If there’s no suspicion of a fracture, and it doesn’t cause pain, raise the injured limb above heart level to reduce blood flow to the wound.

🧯 Step 6: Watch for Signs of Shock

Monitor the casualty for signs of shock, which may include:

• Pale, cold, clammy skin

• Rapid breathing or heartbeat

• Weakness or dizziness

• Confusion or restlessness

If shock develops:

• Keep them lying down

• Loosen tight clothing

• Cover them with a coat or blanket

• Call 999 or 112 if not already done

⛔ Step 7: Use a Tourniquet (If Trained)

Tourniquets should only be used as a last resort and ideally by someone trained (for example, FREC 3–qualified first aiders).
Use it only if direct pressure fails and the bleeding is from a limb.
Mark the time it was applied and inform paramedics immediately.

💬 Aftercare

Even if bleeding seems controlled, always seek medical assessment.
Deep wounds, dirty injuries, or those caused by metal or bites may need a tetanus injection or stitches.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Apply firm pressure immediately.

• Call 999 or 112 for severe or uncontrollable bleeding.

• Do not remove dressings once applied.

• Keep the casualty still and calm until help arrives.

• Monitor for shock and treat accordingly.

🎓 Learn More with DAC Education

Our first aid courses teach you the practical skills to manage severe bleeding safely — from cuts and grazes to catastrophic bleeding control.

Popular options include:

• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)

• First Aid at Work (FAW)

• First Response Emergency Care (FREC 3) — covering advanced trauma and bleeding management

👉 Book a First Aid Course
(Delivered at our Suffolk HQ or on-site for groups of six or more.)

Disclaimer

This article provides general first aid guidance for public awareness.
Always call 999 or 112 in life-threatening emergencies or when bleeding cannot be controlled.