In order to provide first aid for bleeding , you should first determine what type of bleeding it is. Improperly provided assistance can significantly aggravate the condition of the victim. In this article, we will consider what characterizes the venous bleeding and how to stop it.
Signs of venous bleeding
Venous bleeding is the loss of blood as a result of damage to the veins. The veins are vessels with thin walls, carrying blood to the heart from the capillaries of organs and tissues. Blood flowing through the veins, contains carbon dioxide and is poor in oxygen.
Venous blood is characterized by a dark red or cherry color. It flows out of the wound evenly and continuously, slowly enough. In case of damage to large veins, in which intravenous pressure is increased, blood can flow with a stream, but, as a rule, it does not pulsate. However, sometimes there is a slight ripple associated with the transfer of a pulse wave from an artery passing near the damaged vein.
As a rule, venous bleeding occurs due to deep wounds or cuts . This type of bleeding is dangerous not only the probability of losing a significant amount of blood, but also the risk of developing air embolism - a fatal condition. This is due to the fact that venous lesions of large veins, especially of the neck vessels, cause suction through the wounds of air at the time of inspiration. The danger is the air carried through the veins, which reaches the heart muscle.
Stopping of venous bleeding - first aid
With venous bleeding, the application of a tourniquet is usually not required, in contrast to an arterial one. In this case, the elimination of blood loss is carried out by another method, using a pressure bandage. However, before this, you should give the area of injury an elevated position, in order for blood to flow from the damaged area.
To apply a pressure bandage is best to use an individual dressing bag. If there is none at hand, you can use a sterile gauze, a bandage or gauze wipes folded in several layers. A clean handkerchief should be applied over the materials used.
Pressing bandage is superimposed slightly below the damaged area, because Venous blood is transported to the heart via peripheral vessels. To strengthen it, a bandage bandage is made. And the bandage should be tight, a few revolutions, otherwise with insufficient tightening the bleeding can intensify.
If the blood could be stopped, and the pulsation is preserved below, then the pressure bandage is applied correctly. If the blood continues to flow and the bandage starts to soak again, then several more layers of gauze (bandage, napkins) should be applied on top and again tightly bandaged.
If there is no pressure bandage at hand, the bleeding place should be pressed with your fingers. When bleeding from the hand, you need to lift it up. Also, venous bleeding stops sufficiently at maximum flexion of the limb (upper or lower). The arm bent at the elbow joint should be bandaged, tightly tying the forearm to the shoulder. Bent at the knee joint
A tourniquet with a venous bleeding is imposed only in case of strong blood loss. The tourniquet is also applied below the wound, on top of clothing or bandages. Be sure to write a note indicating the time of application of the harness. It is forbidden to hold the tourniquet for more than 1.5 - 2 hours - it should be removed for a few minutes, pressing down the damaged vein with your fingers.
After taking the above measures, the victim must be sent to the hospital.