Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with limb bleeding, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A cut, scrape, or wound on an arm or leg is bleeding. The amount may range from oozing to steady flow.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Press hard on the wound. Raise the arm or leg. Call 112 if it keeps bleeding.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Steady or pulsing blood flow that does not slow with pressure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Deep wound where you cannot see the bottom, or bone is visible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person feels dizzy, weak, or looks pale.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Arms and legs have many blood vessels close to the surface. Cuts can bleed heavily even when not life-threatening at first.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If an artery is cut, blood may spurt with each heartbeat and needs urgent help.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sit or lay the person down if they feel unsteady.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Place a thick cloth or pad directly on the wound.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Press firmly with both hands if needed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep steady pressure. Do not lift the cloth to look.
When and how to get professional help.
Call if bleeding soaks through cloth, spurts, or the person feels faint.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Control bleeding with pressure. Do not attempt to stitch, cauterize, or remove deep objects.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or 108 if bleeding is heavy or the person feels faint.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Describe which limb, how the injury happened, and whether pressure is working.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use a tourniquet for minor or moderate limb bleeding.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT twist cloth tightly around the whole limb as a first step — use direct pressure on the wound.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT move the limb unnecessarily if you suspect a broken bone.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Raising the limb alone will stop serious bleeding
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Elevation helps but direct pressure on the wound is essential. Severe bleeding needs both and may need a tourniquet.
Other scenarios in the same family.
After crush release
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person has just been released from a crush injury. They may look okay initially but can deteriorate rapidly.
Amputation
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A finger, toe, hand, foot, or larger part of a limb has been partially or completely severed in an accident.
Impaled object
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A knife, rod, glass shard, or other object is embedded in the body and must not be removed by civilians.
Chest wound
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A penetrating or open wound to the chest wall. The person may have trouble breathing or bubbling blood at the wound.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If possible, raise the injured limb above the level of the heart while keeping pressure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If bleeding soaks through, add more cloth on top — do not remove the first pad.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if bleeding is heavy, spurting, or not slowing after several minutes of pressure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Deep cuts, spurting blood, amputation, or embedded objects always need emergency care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Even small cuts may need stitches if edges gape open or bleeding returns after pressure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Wasting time without firm pressure on the wound.