Heavy bleeding Toto āwai

If you are bleeding heavily, it is important to apply firm pressure to try to stop the flow. Find out how, and when to get help.

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When to get urgent medical help

Bleeding from a large vein or artery can be severe and life-threatening. The person can quickly become unconscious. Stop the flow of blood and call 111 for an ambulance straight away.

If someone has had a head injury and they have a bleeding nose or fluid dripping from their nose, call 111 for an ambulance. They may have a fractured (broken) skull.

How to stop heavy bleeding

  1. Call 111 for an ambulance.
  2. If there is something in the wound, do not pull it out. Apply firm pressure to the wound on either side of the object with a clean cloth. Use your hands if no cloth is available.
  3. If there is nothing in the wound, apply direct, firm pressure — use a clean cloth if you can, but if you do not have one, use your hand. Try to keep the edges of the wound together.
  4. Keep the injured part as still as possible.
  5. If the wound is on the person's arm or leg, raise it up.
  6. If the blood soaks through the cloth, do not remove it. Place a second cloth on top of the first one and keep applying pressure.

If possible, wear disposable gloves.

If the person becomes unconscious, follow this advice.

Unconscious but breathing

Severed body part

If a finger, ear, toe or other body part has been cut off:

  • wash it in tap water
  • wrap it in clean, non-fluffy cloth if available
  • put it in a plastic bag and seal the bag
  • place the bag in a container of cold water with ice
  • make sure it goes to the hospital with the injured person.