Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 5-6. Application of AED.
Survey for Injuries and to Control Bleeding
Do a quick head-to-toe survey for wounds and fractures. Try to control bleeding by applying
direct pressure to wounds with any bulky, clean material—use your shirt if nothing else is
handy. Use the cleanest material available to reduce the chance of infection, but stopping
severe bleeding is far more important than worrying about infection. Elevate the wounded limb
to reduce the blood pressure to the wound. Do not change dressings if blood-soaked, but add
new dressings on top of old ones. Tie dressings in place with strips of cloth or roll bandages to
maintain pressure. Bright red blood spurting from a wound is arterial. Oozing, dark blood is
probably from a vein. Arterial bleeding, especially from the scalp, neck, groin, or shoulder, can
