Page 54 - GTE Operations Manual

HEALTH & SAFETY
FIRST AID PAGES
Bleeding
Identify and assess bleeding
Blood loss may occur either internally or externally.
In internal bleeding there may be no visible blood, and it will be the signs and symptoms of shock that alert the first aider to the loss of blood. In external blood loss the quantity and colour of blood will vary depending on the type of blood vessel damaged.
Wounds
Wounds in areas with a good blood supply will bleed a lot. A large amount of blood can be lost from a very small cut in areas such as the scalp.
The first aider, using standard precautions (such as gloves and protective glasses) should always expose the wound site to determine the seriousness of the injury.
If the wound is covered by clothing, remove clothing from the affected area to see the wound. If necessary, cut clothing.
Protect yourself from infection
by wearing gloves when blood is present. When possible encourage the casualty to apply direct pressure using their own hand to limit your contact with blood.
The use of tourniquets and haemostatic dressings may be used in first aid when direct wound pressure fails to control severe bleeding or cannot be applied, and the first aider is trained in their use.
If gloves are not available, using plastic bags as makeshift gloves is a good alternative.
Blood vessel type
Characteristics of bleeding
ARTERY
Bright red blood, spurting in response to heart beat.
VEIN
Dark red in colour, flows steadily.
CAPILLARY
Blood oozes gently.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
BLEEDING:
ɠ pain
ɠ bleeding
ɠ cold sweaty skin, feeling cold
ɠ pale appearance
ɠ signs of shock
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54 OPERATIONS MANUAL 2021
BLEEDING | WOUNDS