How can you help stop someone’s bleeding?

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Bleeding is when someone loses blood through a cut, scrape, or wound on the surface of the body.

Bleeding could occur as a result of accidents, injuries in the workplace, fights or assault using weapons.

There are people who do not know what to do when they see someone bleeding.

Knowing what to do can help reduce the seriousness of bleeding injuries until the person gets medical help.

Here’s how you can help:

• Stay calm: First things first, try to stay calm so you can think clearly. Panicking won’t help anyone.

• Apply pressure: The most important thing is to stop the bleeding.

  Use a clean cloth, gauze, or even your hand if you have nothing else, and press directly on the wound. Don’t keep lifting it up to check—just keep applying pressure.

• Elevate the area: If it’s a limb (like an arm or leg) and you’re able to, raise it above the heart level. This can help slow down the bleeding by reducing blood flow to the area.

• Use a bandage: Once the bleeding slows or stops, you can wrap the wound with a bandage or cloth to keep pressure on it. Don’t wrap it too tight, though—just enough to hold it in place.

  If the bleeding keeps going after a few minutes, don’t hesitate to add more cloth or gauze, and keep applying pressure. If it’s a really bad wound, like an artery is hit, you might need to use a tourniquet (only if you absolutely have to) above the wound, but that’s a last resort.

  Keep the person as calm as possible, and if they seem faint or dizzy, have them lie down with their feet slightly raised. This helps keep their blood circulating properly.

• Get medical help as soon as possible. The quicker they get treated, the better.

Should you apply herbs to a bleeding wound?

Some Nigerians believe that herbs, like woroworo leaf, can stop bleeding.

But, this is not true.

Herbs can introduce bacteria, which might increase the risk of infection.

To stop bleeding, use a clean cloth or bandage and press on the wound.