First aid in external bleeding & bull; hello healthy

External bleeding is bleeding that occurs accompanied by an injury to the skin, so that the blood can come out of the body and appear to be outside the body. Skin injuries can result from punctures, scratches, cuts, etc. According to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) the bleeding itself occurs as a result of damaged blood vessel walls which can be caused by collisions (trauma / disease). Heavy bleeding can cause shock, which is a condition when some of the cells and organs of the body don't get enough blood flow that contains oxygen.

Types of external bleeding

Based on the affected blood vessels, external bleeding can be divided into:

1. Arterial bleeding. The blood that comes out of the arteries will spray according to the pulse. Blood color is usually bright red, because it still contains a lot of oxygen.
2. Venous bleeding. The blood that comes out of the veins will flow. Dark red blood color, because it contains carbon dioxide.
3. Capillary bleeding. This bleeding comes from the capillaries, the blood that comes out will leak. This bleeding is so small that it has almost no pressure. The color of the blood varies between bright red and dark red.

Before treating bleeding victims

Before we take action, it's good to know first the condition of the victim. To help estimate how much blood has been discharged from the victim's body, we can refer to the victim's complaints and vital signs. When the victim's complaints have led to symptoms and signs of shock, such as rapid and weak pulse, rapid and shallow breathing, pale cold and moist skin, pale and bluish face on the lips, tongue and earlobes, empty vision and dilated pupils, and changes in circumstances mentally (anxious and restless), the helper is obliged to suspect that blood loss has occurred in a significant amount.

Control and handling of external bleeding

After knowing the victim's condition, then do the following steps, before the experts provide help, according to his condition.

Protection against infection during handling

Don't forget to pay attention to the following things before, during, and after doing help:

• Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as latex gloves, rescue masks, and goggles.
• Do not touch the mouth, nose, eyes and food while giving care.
• Wash your hands after you are done giving the treatment.
• Dispose of materials that have been stained with blood or fluids from the patient's body properly.

If there is large bleeding

If there is large bleeding, do not waste time, treat the bleeding quickly before the victim runs out of blood. Pay attention to the steps for handling the following:

1. Don't waste time looking for wound covers.
2. Press the wound directly with your finger or palm (preferably with gloves) or with another material.
3. If the bleeding does not stop, then elevate the injured limb (only in the locomotion) above the level of the heart to reduce the occurrence of blood deficiency.
4. If bleeding continues, press on the pressure point, which is the artery above the bleeding area. There are several pressure points, namely the brachial artery (artery in the upper arm), radial artery (artery in the wrist), and femoral artery (artery in the groin of the thigh).
5. Keep it up and press firmly enough.
6. Put on a bandage to press down on the wound.
7. Do not move the victim if you do not have knowledge about moving the victim, and remove objects around the victim (especially those that are dangerous).

Light or controlled bleeding

If the bleeding is under control, you can take the time to find a wound dressing. After that, do the following ways:

1. Apply direct pressure with the wound covering.
2. Keep pressing until the bleeding is controlled.
3. Maintain wound cover and dressings.
4. It is best not to remove the first dressing or dressing.

The use of tourniquets

Torniket should only be used in an emergency where there is no other way to stop the bleeding. Torniket should be used as close to the point of bleeding as possible.

Things to note

If the victim is bleeding as a result of being punctured by a sharp object, never pull out the object that was pierced into the victim's body, because there is a concern that when the object is removed, bleeding will get worse and the injury will increase. Apply a bandage around the object that is stuck.

Do not give food or drink to a bleeding victim. Check the victim's condition carefully, and treat other serious injuries if any. After that, refer to the nearest health facility.