BLEEDING INJURIES
Most bleeding injuries are minor and will stop within a few minutes with little or no intervention.

BLEEDING INJURIES SHOULD ALWAYS BE TREATED BY AN ADULT.
CHILDREN SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK AN ADULT FOR ASSISTANCE.


MINOR
POTENTIALLY SERIOUS
  Bruise  
   
  Signs / Symptoms  
 
• Bleeding under skin
• Tissue damage that may be deep
 
 

Some closed wounds can be very serious

See Internal Bleeding

  
  Treatment  
 
• Ice, Compression, Elevation
• Monitor healing
 
     
  Scrapes  
   
  Signs / Symptoms  
 
• Minor bleeding
• Skin scraped away
 
     
  Treatment  
 
• Ice
• Cleanse thoroughly (using a barrier) - these injuries are very prone to infection
• Cover with a non-stick dressing
 
     
  Puncture / Impaled Object  
   
  Signs / Symptoms  
 
• Pointed object has punctured the skin (e.g., nail)
• Light bleeding
 
  Impaled Object: the object still remains stuck in the tissue.  
  Treatment  
 
• Flush wound thoroughly - this is a common method of contracting tetanus
• Cleanse thoroughly (using a barrier)
• Cover with a gauze sponge
• Ice
 
 

DO NOT REMOVE THE OBJECT

Stabilize the object and proceed to the doctor's office

 
  Cuts  
   
  Signs / Symptoms  
 
• Caused by sharp object or forceful blow from a blunt object
• The break in the skin may have jagged or smooth edges
• Moderate bleeding
• Painful
 
 
• Severe bleeding
• Serious tissue damage
 
  Treatment  
 
• Ice
• Compression (using a barrier)
• Elevation (above heart if possible)
• Flush wound thoroughly
• Cleanse thoroughly daily
• Cover with a non-stick dressing
• Monitor healing
 
 

Apply direct pressure to wound (using a barrier)

When blood soaks dressings, apply more dressings

DO NOT REMOVE OLD DRESSINGS

DO NOT WASTE TIME CLEANSING WOUND

CONTROL BLEEDING IMMEDIATELY

Call 9-1-1 if blood loss appears to be significant or person is exhibiting signs of shock

See Shock page for signs and treatment

 
  Avulsion  
   
  Signs / Symptoms  
 
• Portion of skin/tissue is partially or completely torn away
• Moderate bleeding
 
 
• Body part (e.g., finger) is torn away
• Severe bleeding
 
  Treatment  
 
• Ice
• Compression (using a barrier)
• Elevation (above heart if possible)
• Flush wound thoroughly
• Cleanse thoroughly daily
• Cover with a non-stick dressing
• Monitor healing
 
 

Apply direct pressure to wound (using a barrier)

When blood soaks dressings, apply more dressings

DO NOT REMOVE OLD DRESSINGS

DO NOT WASTE TIME CLEANSING WOUND

CONTROL BLEEDING IMMEDIATELY

CALL 9-1-1

Save avulsed body part, put in a clean bag (if possible) and PACK IN ICE

Take it and the victim to the hospital

Treat for shock if person is exhibiting signs of shock (See Shock page for signs and treatment)

 
  Internal Bleeding  
   
  Signs / Symptoms  
 
• Tender
• Swollen areas may feel hard to the touch
 
 
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Skin may be cool and moist or pale and bluish
• Victim may vomit/cough up blood
• Victim may experience extreme thirst
• Victim may faint, be confused, drowsy or unconscious
 
  Treatment  
 

WHENEVER INTERNAL BLEEDING WITHIN THE ABDOMEN IS SUSPECTED (no matter how serious the injury):
• CALL 9-1-1 or
• Take the athlete to the nearest EMERGENCY ROOM.

Treat for shock if person is exhibiting signs of shock See Shock page for signs and treatment
 

 
   
• Information was taken from American Red Cross, "Community First Aid & Safety"; St. Louis, Missouri; Mosby Lifeline, 1993.

When dealing with bleeding injuries (or other body fluids) you must always keep a barrier between the care provider and the blood of the injured person. There are many diseases that are transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Examples of barriers are latex gloves, plastic wrap, and dressings.

NOTE: Stitches should be given within a few hours of the injury. If you are uncertain if stitches are needed, it is best to see a doctor right away.