Learn the Simple Steps to Prevent Blood Loss

Blood loss is the leading cause of avoidable death when someone is injured according to The American College of Surgeons (ACS) STOP THE BLEED® program. While most of us connect blood loss to gunshot wounds, everyday accidents can also cause hemorrhaging, such as home improvement, gardening, cooking and car accidents. By learning Stop the Bleed skills, the person next to a bleeding victim can be the one most likely to save their life.When you observe a victim suffering from life-threatening blood loss, such as a lot of blood or continually flowing or pooling blood, call 9-1-1. While waiting, prevent blood from escaping the victim’s body by locating the wound or wounds, then compressing them using the relevant step:• Use just enough of a bandage or clean cloth to cover the wound and then apply direct pressure with both hands if you have no first aid kit; this step can be sufficient if the bleeding stops. Even if it does, do not relax the pressure until help arrives.• Pack the wound, then press on it.If a wound is deep or large and you have enough clean cloth with you, pack the wound with the cloth until it’s filled before putting pressure...