FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY
CARE
LECTURE 7
HEMORRHAGE
Definition
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Hemorrhage means extravasations of blood
Extravasation is the leakage of blood from a
vessel into tissues surrounding it; can occur in
injuries or burns
CLASSIFICATION OF
HEMORRHAGES
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
External Hemorrhage
Internal Hemorrhage
EXTERNAL HEMORRHAGE
Types of external bleeding
 Arterial bleeding: loss of blood from arteries
 Blood loss is rapid and profuse
 The color of blood is bright red
 Blood spurts as the heart beats
 Venous Bleeding: loss of blood from veins
 Blood loss is a steady flow
 The color of blood is dark
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Capillary Bleeding: loss of blood from capillary
bed
Blood flow is slow
The color of blood is red but less bright
Methods used to control external bleeding
1. Direct pressure: is the most effective method:
Application of direct and firm pressure to the
wound
2. Elevation of the affected limb
3. Pressure point on the artery
4. Splinting: used in sever laceration or cut
extends over the length of the extremity.
6. Blood pressure cuff: the cuff is placed above
the wound, and can be left for up to 30 min.
7. Mast Garments: pneumatic counter-pressure
devices for serious abdominal bleeding
8. Applying Tourniquet: is a last resort used only
when other methods to control bleeding have
failed.
INTERNAL HEMORRHAGE
Causes of internal hemorrhage
1. Deep chest or abdominal wound
2. Any cut into muscle or fracturing of bone
3. Bleeding ulcers
Detecting internal bleeding
1. Assume internal bleeding whenever the
following are present
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
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Wound that have penetrated the skull
Blood in the ear
Vomiting or coughing up blood
3. Wound that have penetrated the chest or
abdomen
 Large
areas of bruised abdomen
 Abdominal tenderness, rigidity, or spasm
 Blood in urine
 Rectal bleeding
 Bone fractures mainly the long bone of the arm or
thigh.