Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with severe nosebleed, use emergency mode.
Do this nowThis content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. It is provided for preview while expert review is in progress.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Blood is flowing heavily from the nose and continues after 15–20 minutes of proper first aid.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Sit up, lean forward. Pinch soft nose 15 minutes. Call 112 if it keeps bleeding or they feel faint.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Bleeding continues after 15–20 minutes of continuous pinching.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Blood flowing down the back of the throat, causing coughing or vomiting blood.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follows head injury, person feels dizzy, or takes warfarin/aspirin-type drugs.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Most nosebleeds come from fragile vessels in the front of the nose and stop with firm pinching.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Heavy or prolonged bleeding can cause weakness, especially in elderly or those on blood-thinning medicine.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sit the person upright in a chair — not lying back.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lean head slightly forward so blood drains out, not down the throat.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pinch the soft lower half of the nose (below the bony bridge) with thumb and finger.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hold continuously for 15 minutes — use a clock. Do not peek.
When and how to get professional help.
Call if bleeding lasts more than 20 minutes, follows head injury, or person is on blood thinners.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use pressure and positioning. Do not pack nose deeply with cotton or attempt cauterization.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if bleeding exceeds 20 minutes, person faints, or bleeding follows trauma.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Mention blood-thinning medications if known.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT tilt the head back — blood swallows into stomach and can cause vomiting.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT pack tissue deep into the nostril.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT blow the nose for several hours after bleeding stops.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tilt the head back to stop a nosebleed
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tilting back sends blood down the throat, causing choking and vomiting. Lean forward and pinch the nose.
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 — Place a bowl or cloth to catch dripping blood. Apply cold pack to bridge of nose if available.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Non-stop nosebleed, swallowing large amounts of blood, or nosebleed after head injury needs emergency care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People on blood-thinning medicine should seek care sooner — even moderate nosebleeds can become serious.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Aspiration of blood and hidden blood loss estimation.