13/10/2025
Nosebleeds
1. Stay calm & sit down
Ask the person to sit down, stay calm, and lean forwards slightly. Do not lean the head backwards. 
2. Breathe through the mouth & pinch the nose
Get them to breathe through their mouth. Pinch the soft part of the nose (just below the bony bridge) using thumb + finger. Hold this continuously for 10 minutes. A clean tissue helps catch blood. 
3. Check, then repeat if needed
After 10 minutes, gently release the pressure to see if bleeding has stopped. If not, pinch again for further 10-minute intervals (up to a total of about 30 minutes). 
4. After bleeding stops
• Keep the head leaning forward.
• Clean around the nose gently with lukewarm water. 
• Advise rest, avoid physical exertion, don’t blow the nose, and don’t pick at the clot. 
5. When to call for help / get emergency assistance
Call emergency services (e.g. 999 or 112 in the UK) if:
• The bleeding is severe or bright, keeps flowing heavily. 
• It lasts more than 30 minutes despite applying pressure. 
• The person has had a head injury and there’s fluid (clear or “watery”) coming from the nose (this could be a skull fracture).
