Stop the Bleed trains bystanders to control life-threatening bleeding until professional help arrives. Severe bleeding can cause death in minutes. If you see a serious bleed, act quickly and calmly.
Quick Instructions
- Call 911 — Get emergency medical help on the way immediately.
- Apply direct pressure with your hands — Use both hands, press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth, dressing, or your gloved hand. Maintain steady pressure; do not remove the cloth if it becomes saturated — add more dressing on top.
- Apply dressing and continue to press — Pack the wound with gauze or a clean cloth if the wound is deep; continue firm pressure until bleeding slows or stops.
- Apply a tourniquet if bleeding is life-threatening or cannot be controlled with direct pressure — Place the tourniquet 2–3 inches above the wound (not over a joint). Tighten until the bleeding stops or is significantly reduced. Record the time the tourniquet was applied and leave it in place until medical personnel take over. Do not loosen or remove the tourniquet once applied.
Additional Safety Notes
- Wear disposable gloves if available to reduce infection risk.
- Use a whistle, shout, or call for help to get assistance from others.
- If the victim becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, begin CPR after controlling major bleeding if it is safe to do so.
- Always tell emergency responders what first aid you provided and the time the tourniquet (if used) was applied.
When to Use a Tourniquet
Use a tourniquet for severe arterial bleeding from a limb that cannot be controlled with direct pressure, or when bleeding is spurting, massive, or life-threatening. If uncertain and bleeding is heavy, applying a tourniquet can be lifesaving.
What Not to Do
- Do not remove a tourniquet once it is applied.
- Do not delay calling 911 while preparing supplies.
- Do not give a bleeding person food or drink if they are likely to need surgery.