The human body requires the correct amount of blood and fluid to be transported around the body in order to function properly. The blood transports oxygen to every cell in the body and then transports the waste products away from the cell.

Bleeding is the loss of blood from the circulatory system. The loss can be from external or internal bleeding, ranging from minor through to severe or massive. First aid for any type of severe bleeding is critical. The aim is to limit the loss of blood until emergency medical aid arrives. Always call Triple Zero (000).

Internal bleeding

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms will depend on where the bleeding is inside the body:

• Visible internal bleeding: bruising or blood coming from a body opening

• Bright red and/or frothy blood coughed up from the lungs

• Vomiting blood which may be bright red or dark brown

• Blood-stained urine

• Rectal bleeding

• Vaginal bleeding

Concealed internal bleeding: bleeding that remains contained within the body

• Pain, tenderness, swelling at the affected site

• Swollen, tight abdomen

• Nausea and vomiting

• Pale tongue, and pale, clammy, sweaty, cold skin

• Breathlessness, dizziness, rapid shallow breathing

• Extreme thirst

• Rapid but weak pulse, e.g. pulse rate greater than 100 in adults

• Unconsciousness

First aid

Prompt medical help is vital:

• Check response

• Conduct a verbal survey and listen carefully to what the person tells you about their injury

• Lay them down and keep them still

• Look for signs of shock

• Cover with a blanket or something to keep them warm

• Casualty’s knees may be flexed, which may help reduce the pain

• Don’t give the person anything to eat or drink

• Offer reassurance and manage any other injuries

• If the casualty vomits blood, place on their side to help eliminate

• If they becomes unconscious, place them on their side

• Monitor until the ambulance arrives

External bleeding

Signs and symptoms

• Capillary bleeding: small lacerations or abrasions that is oozing.

• Venous bleeding: lacerations bleeding freely but can be adequately controlled.

• Arterial bleeding: severe laceration spurting vigorously because the artery has been sliced causing the heart to pump out the blood with each contraction.

• Look for evidence of shock; unconsciousness; abnormal breathing; cardiac arrest.

First aid

Minor bleeding: small cuts and abrasions that are not bleeding excessively can be treated as a ‘basic wound’.

Nose bleeding: bleeding from the nose is usually not severe.

• Sit the casualty upright

• Ask them to tilt their head forward to avoid blood flowing down throat

• Using the thumb and forefinger, ask the casualty to squeeze the nostrils shut, applying direct pressure over soft part of nostrils below bridge of nose

• Remain seated and hold for at least 10 minutes

• On hot days or after exercise, it might be necessary to maintain pressure for at least 20 minutes

• Release the hold gently and check for bleeding. If the bleeding has stopped, avoid blowing your nose or picking at it for the rest of the day

• If bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes, seek medical assistance