What stops bleeding fast?

If you’re out in public and need to control severe bleeding fast, then you should call 999. The 999 operator will then be able to tell you where the nearest emergency bleed control kit is located. 

Controlling bleeding fast can be vital, whether it’s a minor cut at home or a more critical injury in an emergency. How to control bleeding both quickly and effectively depends on the type and severity of the wound. Here we discuss several methods that can help control bleeding rapidly.

What is an emergency bleed control kit?

An emergency bleed control kit can be crucial for those needing to control bleeding fast in an emergency. Also known as a trauma kit, an emergency bleed control kit is a collection of medical supplies and equipment designed to control severe bleeding in emergency situations. 

Emergency bleed control kits can be particularly useful when there is a traumatic injury, accident or incident where rapid bleeding control is critical before professional medical help arrives. 

Where are emergency bleed control kits located?

Emergency bleed control kits can be found anywhere – often, in bleed cabinets or alongside defibrillator cabinets if they’re in a public place. However, having them at schools, workplaces or popular public spaces will ensure life-saving equipment is readily available to control or stop bleeding fast when needed.

A dedicated bleed control kit contains the medical components needed to control a major bleed injury and potentially, save lives.

What can be found in an emergency bleed control kit?

Multiple items can be found in an emergency bleed control kit that can help to control or stop bleeding fast, including:

A tourniquet

Tourniquets are devices designed to control severe bleeding by constricting blood flow to a limb. They are bands that can be tied around an arm or leg when bleeding is uncontrollable. 

It’s worth noting that a tourniquet should used by a medical professional only – a 999 operator would not ask a member of the public to release a tourniquet.

Trauma dressings

Trauma dressings can help to control bleeding rapidly and minimise moderate blood loss. 

Haemostatic gauze

A gauze containing chitosan, such as Celox, contains a natural polymer that halts bleeding and speeds up clotting to help control bleeding fast. The gauze is pushed into an open wound until the wound is full of gauze and then a dressing is applied on top to provide pressure and to seal the wound.

Tips for preventing bleeding fast

If you need to prevent bleeding fast, whether it’s at your home or in public, here are some of our top tips:

Apply direct pressure

Applying direct pressure to the wound can be an extremely effective way to control bleeding fast. Try to avoid releasing the pressure too often (for example, to check the wound), as this can disrupt the clotting process.

If you are applying direct pressure on a wound, be sure to use a clean cloth or sterile bandage. If you are using your hand, you should wear disposable gloves when possible, to reduce the risk of infection and to protect yourself. Disposable gloves should be found in an emergency bleed kit. 

Elevation

Elevate the injured area above the heart to reduce blood flow and therefore minimise bleeding. Ideally, you should combine elevation and direct pressure to maximise the effectiveness of both methods.

Use haemostatic agents

Haemostatic agents, for example, haemostatic gauze previously mentioned, are designed to promote blood clotting and therefore, reduce or slow down heavy blood flow. 

Make sure you have a life-saving emergency bleed control kit onsite

For peace of mind, if anything else, make sure you have a life-saving emergency bleed control kit on your premises. Whether you’re a school, work space or public place, having a life-saving emergency bleed control kit nearby could be the difference between life and death.

View our selection of bleed control kits here or contact us to find out more.