Outdoor Skills - First Aid

External Bleeding

Direct pressure stops most bleeding. Place sterile gauze or clean cloth over wound and apply pressure. If bleeding doesn't stop in 5 minutes, replace cloth and continue to apply direct pressure to wound while adding pressure to pressure points (below).

" X " denotes spot to apply pressure if bleeding persists in indicated body areas.

Temple or scalp

Face anywhere below eye

Shoulder or upper arm

Elbow

Lower arm

Hand

Thigh

Lower leg

Foot

*Use a tourniquet only as last resort & never apply below the elbow or knee

DANGER:

• DO NOT use direct pressure on eye, embedded objects or open fractures
• DO NOT rinse wound with full strenghth medicines
• DO NOT close wounds with tape
• DO NOT breathe or blow on a wound