ANZCOR Guideline 9.1.

1 – First Aid for

Management of Bleeding
Guideline

Who does this guideline apply to?

This guideline applies to adult, child and infant victims.

Who is the audience for this guideline?

This guideline is for use by bystanders, first aiders and first aid providers.

Recommendations

The Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) make the following
recommendations:

1. Firm pressure on or around the wound is the most effective way to stop bleeding.

2. In life-threatening bleeding, control of bleeding takes priority over airway and breathing
interventions.

3. Use an arterial tourniquet for life-threatening limb bleeding that is not controlled by direct
wound pressure.

1 External Bleeding
The use of pressure on or around the wound is usually the fastest, easiest and most effective way to
stop external bleeding.1,2,3,4, [Class A; LOE II, Class A; LOE III-3]. Other methods should be used if
direct pressure alone does not control severe bleeding. The aim is to stop further bleeding whilst
waiting for help to arrive. There is no evidence that elevating a bleeding part will help control
bleeding5 and there is the potential to cause more pain or injury.

Bleeding should be managed as severe, life-threatening bleeding in the following situations:

• amputated or partially amputated limb above wrist or ankle

• shark attack, propeller cuts or similar major trauma to any part of the body
• bleeding not controlled by local pressure
• bleeding with signs of shock, i.e. pale and sweaty plus pulse rate >100, or capillary refill > 2
sec and/or decreased level of consciousness

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1.1 Management

• Use standard precautions (e.g. gloves, protective glasses) if readily available.

• Management of all bleeding begins with application of pressure on or around the wound.
• If bleeding is severe or life-threatening, controlling the bleeding takes priority over airway
and breathing interventions. Lie the victim down, apply pressure and send for an ambulance.
• If there is severe, life threatening bleeding from a limb, not controlled by pressure, apply an
arterial tourniquet above the bleeding point, if trained in its use and one is available. (CoSTR
2015: weak recommendation/low quality evidence)5
• If there is severe, life-threatening bleeding from a wound site not suitable for tourniquet, or
from a limb when a tourniquet is not available or has failed to stop the bleeding, apply a
haemostatic dressing, if trained in its use and one is available. (CoSTR 2015: weak
recommendation/low quality evidence)5
• For the majority of non-life-threatening cases, first aiders should follow the order of
DRSABCD, where control of bleeding follows establishing airway and commencing CPR if
required.
• If the victim is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow the Basic Life Support
Flowchart (ANZCOR Guideline 8).

1.2 Direct Pressure Method

Where the bleeding point is identified, the rescuer, a bystander or the victim themself should control
bleeding by:

• Applying firm, direct pressure sufficient to stop the bleeding. Pressure can be applied using
hands or a pad over the bleeding point.
• If bleeding continues, apply a second pad and a tighter bandage over the wound. If bleeding
still continues, check that the pad and bandage are correctly applied, directly over the
bleeding. If not, it may be necessary to remove the pad(s) to ensure that a specific bleeding
point has not been missed. Applying firmer pressure, only using 1-2 pads over a small area,
will achieve greater pressure over the bleeding point than continuing to layer up further
pads.
To assist in controlling bleeding, where possible:

• Advise the victim to lie down and remain still

• Restrict movement by immobilizing a bleeding limb

1.3 Embedded Objects

If there is an obvious embedded object causing bleeding, use pressure around the object.
[Class A; LOE Expert Consensus Opinion]

• Do not remove the embedded object because it may be plugging the wound and restricting
bleeding.
• Apply padding around or on each side of the protruding object, with pressure over the
padding.
Pressure application methods may be insufficient to control bleeding. It may still be necessary to use
other measures including an arterial tourniquet or haemostatic dressings.

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1.4 Arterial tourniquet

• Arterial tourniquets should only be used for life-threatening bleeding from a limb, where the
bleeding cannot be controlled by direct pressure. Ideally, a tourniquet should not be applied
over a joint or wound, and must not be covered up by any bandage or clothing.
• Commercially manufactured windlass tourniquets such as those based on military designs
are more effective than improvised tourniquets5. An example of a military tourniquet is
shown in Fig 1. Effective use of commercial tourniquets is optimal when first aid providers
are trained in proper application techniques.
• All arterial tourniquets should be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
(or 5 cm above the bleeding point if no instructions) and tightened until the bleeding stops.
• If a tourniquet does not stop the bleeding its position and application must be checked.
Ideally the tourniquet is not applied over clothing nor wetsuits and is applied tightly, even if
this causes local discomfort.
• If bleeding continues, a second tourniquet (if available) should be applied to the limb,
preferably above the first.
• If a correctly applied tourniquet(s) has failed to control the bleeding consider using a
haemostatic dressing in conjunction with the tourniquet. [Class A; LOE Expert Consensus
Opinion]
• An elastic venous tourniquet (designed to assist drawing blood samples or inserting
intravenous cannulae) is not suitable for use as an arterial tourniquet.
• Improvised tourniquets are unlikely to stop all circulation to the injured limb without risk of
tissue damage. Improvised tourniquets which do not stop all circulation can increase
bleeding. Nonetheless, in the context of life-threatening bleeding, an improvised tourniquet
is likely to be better than no tourniquet. Tourniquets, ideally of a similar broad width to
commercial types, can be improvised using materials from a first aid kit (e.g. triangular
bandage, elastic bandage) from clothing, a surfboard leg rope or other available similar items.
Improvised tourniquets should be tightened by twisting a rod or stick under the improvised
tourniquet band, similar to the windlass in commercial tourniquets.
• The time of tourniquet application must be noted and communicated to
emergency/paramedic personnel. Once applied, the victim requires urgent transfer to
hospital and the tourniquet should not be removed until the victim receives specialist care.
Figure 1: Combat Application Tourniquet

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1.5 Haemostatic dressings

• Haemostatic dressings are impregnated with agents that help stop bleeding. The haemostatic
dressings included in the CoSTR 2015 recommendations contained the products kaolin and
chitosan.6,7 They are commonly used to control bleeding in the surgical and military settings
but their use in the civilian, non-surgical setting is becoming more common. An example is
shown in Fig 2 below.
• When available and the first aid provider is trained in their use, haemostatic dressings are of
most value in the following situations: (CoSTR 2015: weak recommendation/very low quality
evidence) 5.
o Severe, life-threatening bleeding not controlled by wound pressure, from a site not
suitable for tourniquet use.
o Severe, life-threatening bleeding from a limb, not controlled by wound pressure,
when the use of a tourniquet(s) alone has not stopped the bleeding, or a tourniquet is
not available.
• Haemostatic dressings must be applied as close as possible to the bleeding point, held against
the wound using local pressure (manually initially) then held in place with the application of
a bandage (if available). Haemostatic dressings should be left on the bleeding point until
definitive care is available.
The need to control the bleeding is paramount. The risks associated with the first aid use of
tourniquets and haemostatic dressings are less than the risk of uncontrolled severe, life-threatening
bleeding. These adjuncts provide temporary bleeding control and rapid transfer to hospital remains
critically important.

Figure 2: Kaolin impregnated gauze (an example of a haemostatic dressing)

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1.6 Flow Chart for First Aid Control of External Bleeding

2 Internal Bleeding
2.1 Recognition

Internal bleeding may be difficult to recognise, but should always be suspected where there are
symptoms and signs of shock (ANZCOR Guideline 9.2.3).

It includes bruising, locally contained bleeding (e.g. an “egg on the head”) and the internal bleeding
associated with injury or disease of organs in the abdomen or chest, as well as fractures. Severe
bleeding may also occur from complications of pregnancy.

Symptoms and signs may include:

• pain, tenderness or swelling over or around the affected area

• the appearance of blood from a body opening, e.g.:
o bright red and/or frothy blood coughed up from the lungs
o vomited blood which may appear bright red or as dark brown "coffee grounds"
o blood-stained urine
o vaginal bleeding or bleeding from the penis
o rectal bleeding which may be bright red or black and “tarry”
• shock in the case of severe bleeding

2.2 Management

Severe internal bleeding may be life-threatening and requires urgent treatment in hospital.

• Call an ambulance.
• Lie the victim down
• Treat shock (ANZCOR Guideline 9.2.3).

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2.3 Closed Bleeding in a Limb

• If there is bruising to a limb and no external bleeding, use cold pack and pressure if available
(CoSTR 2015: weak recommendation/low quality evidence)5.
• If a limb injury is considered severe, transport to medical care.

3 Nose Bleed (Epistaxis)

For a nose bleed:

• Pressure must be applied equally to both sides of the nose, over the soft part below the bony
bridge (usually between the thumb and index finger).
• The victim should lean with the head forward to avoid blood flowing down the throat.
• Encourage the victim to spit out blood rather than swallow it as swallowed blood irritates the
stomach, and causes vomiting which can worsen the bleeding.
• The victim should remain seated at total rest for at least 10 minutes. On a hot day or after
exercise, it might be necessary to maintain pressure for at least 20 minutes.
If bleeding continues for more than 20 minutes seek medical assistance.

4 Management of All Severe Bleeding

• Call an ambulance
• Reassure the victim
• Assist the victim into a position of comfort, preferably lying down
• Keep the victim warm
• Monitor the vital signs at frequent intervals
• Administer oxygen if available and trained to do so (ANZCOR Guideline 9.2.10)
• Do not give any food or drink orally, including medications
• Treat shock (ANZCOR Guideline 9.2.3).
• If the victim is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow the Basic Life Support
Flowchart (ANZCOR Guideline 8).

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References
1. First Aid Science Advisory Board. Part 10: First Aid. Circulation, 2005.112:115-125.

2. Walker S.B., Cleary S., Higgins M. Comparison of the FemoStop device and manual pressure in
reducing groin puncture site complications following coronary angioplasty and coronary
stent placement. International Journal of Nursing Practice. Dec. 2001. 7(6):366-75.

3. Simon A., Bumgarner B., Clark K., Israel S. Manual versus mechanical compression for femoral
artery hemostasis after cardiac catheterization. American Journal of Critical Care. Jul 1998.
7(4):308-13.

4. Naimer S.A., Chemla F. Elastic adhesive dressing treatment of bleeding wounds in trauma
victims. American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2000.18:816-819.

5. Markensoh D, Ferguson JD, Chameides L et al. 2010 American Heart Association and American
Red Cross International consensus on First Aid Science With Treatment Recommendations.
Circulation. 2010;122:S582-S605, http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/122/16_suppl_2,
downloaded Mar 2017

6. Zideman, D. A., Singletary, E. M., De Buck, E.,et al. (2015). Part 9: First aid: 2015 International
Consensus on First Aid Science with Treatment Recommendations. Resuscitation, 95, e225.
http://www.cprguidelines.eu/assets/downloads/costr/S0300-9572(15)00368-8_main.pdf
Accessed 21/11/2015

7. Devlin JJ, Kircher S, Kozen BG et al. Comparison of Chitoflex®, CELOX™, and QuickClot™ in
Control of Hemorrhage. 2011. Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2011;41(3), 237-245

Further Reading
ANZCOR Guideline 9.2.3 Shock

ANZCOR Guideline 9.1.4 Head Injury

ANZCOR Guideline 9.2.10 The Use of Oxygen in Emergencies

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