2. Shock, Wounds and Bleeding
Shock occurs when there is a drop in the supply
of oxygen to the body tissues due to in sufficient
circulation. Causes of shock can include:
bleeding, plasma loss due to burns, fluid loss
due to dehydration, vomiting, diarrhoea,
reduced pumping ability of the heart, pooling of
the blood in the peripheral vessels and
emotional trauma.
3. Shock, Wounds and Bleeding
Signs and Symptoms
• Rapid or weak pulse
• Pale, cool, sweaty skin
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Feeling dizzy or light headed
• Feeling anxious or restless
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling thirsty
• Possible pain
• Feeling confused
• Deteriorating level of consciousness
4. Shock, Wounds and Bleeding
Steps to assist the casualty
• Control any bleeding
• Call ambulance
• If casualty in unconscious follow Basic Life
Support steps
• Reassure casualty
• Assist them to rest in a comfortable position
• Maintain their body temperature
• Monitor and record vital sins
• Give oxygen is available and safe to do so
5. External Bleeding
• Bleeding is the escape of blood outside the veins,
arteries and capillaries, caused by damage or a rupture.
• It is important to control any bleeding and limit the
amount of blood loss as quickly as possible. Large
amount of blood loss can be life threatening. External
bleeding is usually easily to see. The best way to
control bleeding is to apply direct pressure to the
wound site.
• When controlling bleeding from a casualty ensure you
follow the standard precautions to reduce the risk of
cross infection.
6. External Bleeding
Signs and Symptoms
• Visible blood loss from one or more wounds
• Pain at site of wound
• Signs and symptoms of shock
7. External Bleeding
Steps to assist casualty
• Identify location and size of the wound
• Identify if there is an embedded object/s in the wound
• Check for possible fractures
• Apply and maintain direct pressure to the wound to stop bleeding (use a
sterile or clean pad where possible)
• If there is nothing available, use your hands to apply pressure
• Call and ambulance is wound is severe
• Elevate wound if possible
• Restrict movement of injured area
• Reassure casualty
• Monitor and record vital signs
• Give oxygen if available and safe to do so
• Seek medical aid
8. Embedded object in wound
• If there is an object embedded in the wound,
it may not be possible to apply direct pressure
on to the wound to control bleeding. You will
need to apply indirect pressure around the
wound to slow the flow of blood and assist in
the natural clotting process.
9. Embedded object in wound
Steps to assist casualty
• Identify location and size of the wound
• Do not remove the embedded object
• Use pads, dressing and bandages to apply and maintain
pressure around the object
• Call ambulance
• Elevate wound if possible
• Restrict movement of injured area
• Reassure casualty
• Monitor and record vital signs
• Give oxygen if available and safe to do so
• Seek medical aid
10. Internal bleeding
• Internal bleeding may be difficult to recognise.
You should always suspect to when a casualty
shows signs and symptoms of shock or has
been involved in an incident that may have
caused internal injuries.
11. Internal bleeding
Signs and Symptoms
• History of incident likely to cause internal injuries
• Medical condition likely to cause internal injuries
• Shock
• Pain, tenderness or swelling around the injured area
• Blood coming from any body opening including:
– Bright red or frothy blood coughed up from lungs
– Vomit containing bright or dark blood
– Blood stained urine or stools
– Vaginal bleeding
– Rectal bleeding (bright red or black)
12. Internal bleeding
Steps to assist casualty
• Call ambulance
• Follow Basic Life Support steps
• Reassure casualty and try to keep them
comfortable
• Treat casualty for shock Monitor and record vital
signs
• Give oxygen if available and safe to do so
• Do not give any food or drink
13. Amputations
• It is important to remain calm in a situation
where a body part has been amputated. You
must always care for the casualty before
looking for the amputated part. Ensure when
you are recovering the amputated part you do
not put yourself in danger.
• If the amputated body part is in gloves or
footwear- do not remove it.
14. Amputations
Steps to assist casualty
• Casualty
– Control the bleeding by applying direct pressure to
the injured area
– If possible elevate the area
– Call ambulance
– Reassure the casualty
– Treat them for shock
– Monitor and record their vital signs
– Give oxygen if available and safe to do so
15. Amputations
• Amputated part
– Keep the part as clean, cool and dry as possible
– If possible:
– Put part in clean plastic bad
– Inflate and seal bag
– Put sealed bag in ice water
– Do not wash part or allow to get wet
– Do not pack part directly in the ice
16. Nose bleeds
• Nose bleeds can occur for various reasons.
They usually respond well to first aid. Unless
you suspect the nose bleed may be caused by
a head injury or high blood pressure, you
should seek medical aid.
17. Nose bleeds
Steps to assist the casualty
• Call ambulance if the nose bleed is caused by a head injury
• Pinch together the soft part of the nose (below the bridge)
and hold pressure for 10 minutes
• Have the casualty lean forward and breathe through their
mouth and spit out any blood
• Have the casualty rest for 10 minutes. Rest the casualty for
up to 20 minutes post exercise or on a hot day
• If the bleed continues for
longer than 20 minutes seek
medical aid
18. Minor Wounds
• To classify as a minor wound the site a usually
less than 2.5cm in length, shallow with only
superficial damage to the skin. Bleeding is
minimal and stops quickly.
19. Minor Wounds
• Minor wounds do not automatically require
medical attention, however if you are unsure
of the severity of the injury or the site is
showing signs of infection or has a high risk of
infection you should seek medical advice.
20. Minor Wounds
• Steps to assist the casualty
• Assess the severity of the wound
• Clean the wound with saline of clean warm
water
• Cover with a sterile non-stick dressing
• If necessary seek medical advice
