Severe Bleeding
A person can lose a life-threatening amount of blood in minutes, well before an ambulance arrives. Stopping it is the one first aid skill where your hands do almost all of the work, and it is practised on every first aid course.
What to do
Call 998. Put on gloves if you have them. Press hard and directly on the wound with a dressing or cloth and do not let go. If blood spurts or soaks through on an arm or leg and pressure is not stopping it, apply a tourniquet above the wound and tighten until the bleeding stops. Note the time.
Use the heel of your hand or both hands on top of a dressing and push firmly. If blood soaks through, add more dressings on top rather than lifting the first one — lifting it pulls away the clot that is forming. For a deep wound in a place where you cannot press flat, packing gauze into the wound and then pressing is taught on the course.
For life-threatening bleeding from an arm or leg that pressure cannot control, a manufactured tourniquet is the right tool. Place it a few centimetres above the wound, not over a joint, and tighten until the bleeding stops. It will hurt; that is expected. Do not loosen it — leave that to the hospital — and tell the paramedics the time it went on. Improvised tourniquets often fail, which is why site and vehicle kits should carry a real one.
Sit the person up leaning forward, and pinch the soft part of the nose firmly for at least 10 minutes. Leaning back sends blood down the throat.
After major blood loss, keep the person lying down and warm, and reassure them. Do not give food or drink.
Construction, workshops and kitchens — see site first aid and hospitality first aid. Stock kits with tourniquets — see the kit checklist.
This guide summarises first aid for the public and does not replace training or medical advice. In an emergency in the UAE call 998 for an ambulance.
Other life support and first aid courses: BLS Course · ACLS Course · PALS Course · Training calendar
Call 998 and press firmly and directly on the wound.
No, add more dressings on top and keep pressing.
For life-threatening bleeding from an arm or leg that direct pressure cannot control.
A few centimetres above the wound, not over a joint.
No, leave it in place for the medical team.
Lean forward and pinch the soft part of the nose for at least 10 minutes.
Reading helps; practising makes it automatic. The AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course at our Al Reem Island centre covers every emergency on this page with hands-on practice, and we train companies and schools on site across the UAE.
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What we teach follows the awarding body and the UAE health authorities. For the definitive position on a course or licensing question, these are the places to check.
Last reviewed by the training team at Safety First Medical Services, an American Heart Association training centre at Addax Office Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. Call +971 55 761 9841 or email training@safetyfirstmed.ae.