How To Stop Bleeding: Workplace First Aid Tips

1. Direct Pressure (Most Important & First Step)

Press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth, gauze, or hand (if nothing else is available).

Maintains pressure until bleeding slows or stops.

For small cuts, sometimes just pressing for a few minutes is enough.

2. Elevation

Raise the injured limb above heart level to reduce blood flow to the wound.

Works best together with direct pressure.

3. Pressure Bandage

After initial pressure, cover the wound with sterile gauze, adhesive bandage, or a self-adhesive wrap.

Provides continuous compression and keeps the wound clean.

Common in home first aid kits and sports medicine.

4. Hemostatic Materials (Advanced First Aid)

Some modern first aid kits (especially in outdoor or high-risk jobs) include hemostatic dressings (bandages with clot-promoting agents like kaolin or chitosan).

Used when direct pressure alone is not enough.

5. Tourniquet (Only for Severe Bleeding)

Rarely needed in daily life, but may be used in severe trauma (e.g., car accidents, machinery injuries).

Applied above the wound to completely stop blood flow.

Should only be used as a last resort until emergency services arrive.

6. Cold Compress / Ice Pack

For minor bleeding (like nosebleeds or small cuts), applying cold helps constrict blood vessels.

Example: ice wrapped in cloth placed on a cut or on the bridge of the nose for a nosebleed.

7. Special Cases

Nosebleeds: Sit upright, lean forward slightly, pinch the soft part of the nose for 10–15 minutes, apply a cold compress.

Dental bleeding: Bite down on clean gauze or a tea bag (tannins help clotting).

Scalp wounds: Apply firm pressure despite bleeding looking heavy (scalp is very vascular but usually not life-threatening).

Everyday Items People Commonly Use for Bleeding Control

• Clean cloth, tissue, or towel for direct pressure.
• Adhesive bandages (Band-Aids) for small cuts.
• Medical gauze and tape for larger wounds.
• Elastic self-adhesive bandage (like Coban) to hold pressure.
• Cold pack or ice wrapped in fabric to slow bleeding.

✅ Summary:

In everyday life, the main methods to stop bleeding are:

Direct pressure (first and most effective step)

Covering and compressing the wound (with bandages/gauze)

Elevating the injured limb

Cold application for minor cases

Tourniquet use only for life-threatening bleeding

With quick and proper first aid, most everyday bleeding can be controlled safely until medical care is available.