Severe bleeding: what to do

Uncontrolled bleeding can be life-threatening. Your priority is to stop the bleed quickly, call 999, and monitor for shock.

Quick steps

  • Press hard on the wound with a sterile dressing or clean cloth.
  • Call 999 (use speakerphone if you’re alone).
  • Bandage to maintain pressure and check circulation beyond the bandage.
  • Treat for shock (lie flat, legs raised, keep warm).
  • Support the injury and keep checking their response and breathing.

Step-by-step
1) Protect and expose

If available, put on first aid gloves to reduce infection risk.

Expose the wound by cutting or removing clothing as needed. Do not clean deep/major wounds at this stage.

2) Apply direct pressure

Place a sterile dressing or clean, non-fluffy cloth directly over the wound and press firmly.

If the casualty can help, ask them to press on the wound while you prepare bandages.

Embedded object? Do not remove it. Pad around the object and apply pressure to the sides to help bring the wound edges together.

3) Call for help

Ask a helper to call 999 and describe where the bleeding is and how severe it appears.

If you’re on your own, switch your phone to speaker so you can keep pressure on the wound while speaking to the call handler.

4) Bandage to maintain pressure

Secure the dressing with a firm bandage to maintain continuous pressure.

Check circulation beyond the bandage (press a fingernail or skin for 5 seconds, release—colour should return within 2 seconds).

If it’s too tight, loosen and reapply. If the dressing soaks through, add another dressing on top and re-bandage to increase pressure (don’t remove the original dressing).

5) Treat for shock

Significant blood loss can cause shock (a life-threatening condition).

Lay them down on a blanket or rug, raise and support their legs, loosen tight clothing at neck, chest and waist, and keep them warm.

Do not give food or drink.

6) Support and monitor

Immobilise the injured area with a sling or additional bandage if appropriate.

Re-check circulation beyond bandages at least every 10 minutes.

Keep assessing response and breathing. If they become unresponsive and stop breathing normally, start CPR.

If pressure doesn’t control the bleeding

Follow the call handler’s instructions. If a commercial tourniquet is available and you’re trained, or you’re instructed to do so:

  • Place it 5–7 cm above the wound (not over a joint),
  • Tighten until bleeding stops,
  • Note the time of application,
  • Do not remove it; await emergency services.

If you don’t have a tourniquet, the call handler may guide you to improvise one using a broad band (e.g., triangular bandage). Follow their instructions precisely.

Important

This guidance supports, not replaces, formal first aid training. Skills are best learned and practised on a course.

Learn with Med Learn Training: We deliver regulated first aid and pre-hospital courses nationwide, including catastrophic bleed control. Unsure which course fits your setting?

Tell us about your risks and we’ll map the right pathway.