25/01/2022
Do you have the right equipment for the job?
Massive haemorrhage can be fatal if not treated quickly and correctly. Recent studies have shown that over 70% of improvised tourniquets are ineffective or will fail before the patient arrives at a receiving hospital for treatment. For this reason alone it is worth while investing in and training with commercially available devices such as the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) pictured above.
If you’re attending to a patient who you suspect to have life threatening bleeding, don’t forget DRSABCD, and remember the following:
• 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
• Do not give any food or drink orally, including medications
• Treat shock
• If the victim is unresponsive and not breathing normally, prepare for CPR
Currently, ANZCOR recommendations for bleeding control are:
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
If you or someone you know is in need of First Aid Training or supplies, then head on over to our website (link in bio) to learn more!
