Share on Pinterest A pressure bandage (also called a pressure dressing) is a bandage that’s designed to apply pressure to a particular area of the body. Typically, a pressure bandage has no adhesive and is applied over a wound that’s been covered with an absorbent layer. The absorbent layer may or may not be held in place with an adhesive. Pressure bandages are used to control bleeding and encourage blood clotting without constricting normal blood circulation. They help:
Keep reading to learn when and how to apply a pressure bandage as well as precautions. Doctors often use pressure bandages following surgical procedures. They’re also used by emergency medical responders. Initial wound treatmentIf you or someone you’re with has a deep wound that’s profusely bleeding, you may need to apply a pressure bandage. But first, here are the initial steps you should follow:
At this point, the wound should be more stable. However, if you see blood soaking through the bandage or dripping out from underneath it, you need to apply a more effective pressure bandage to prevent excessive blood loss. Excessive blood loss can result in:
If elevation, gauze, and manual pressure haven’t adequately stopped the bleeding, here are your next steps:
You can also use a pressure bandage to treat venomous snake bites. According to Queensland Children’s Hospital, applying firm pressure over the blood vessels at the site of the poisonous snake bite can slow the venom from progressing into the bloodstream. If the pressure bandage is tied too tightly around an extremity, the pressure bandage becomes a tourniquet. A tourniquet cuts off the blood supply from the arteries. Once that blood supply has been cut off, the tissues separated from oxygen-rich blood flow — such as the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles — can be permanently damaged and result in loss of the limb. If you’ve applied a pressure bandage, continually check around it to make sure you haven’t tied it too tightly or swelling hasn’t made it too tight, but try to maintain a proper amount of pressure. For some wounds, a pressure bandage may be used to help control bleeding and better allow the blood to clot over a wound. It’s important, however, for a pressure bandage not to be too tight, as you don’t want it to halt blood flow from the arteries. You can also use pressure bandages in the treatment of venomous snake bites to help stop the venom from getting into the bloodstream. Last medically reviewed on February 28, 2020
Regardless of how severe a cut or laceration is, all bleeding can be controlled. With that said, some wounds can cause profuse bleeding, and it is only with the proper first aid interventions that the bleeding can be stopped. Preparation and awareness are key to treating any wound properly. This starts with having a fully stocked first aid kit close at hand wherever you are. It is equally important to recognize when bleeding requires emergency care. People don't always know if a wound is serious enough to warrant a call to 911. Or, they may be reluctant to make the call because of a lack of insurance. If in doubt, though, it is always best to err on the side of caution and make the call.
As a general rule, you need to call 911 or rush the injured party to the nearest emergency room if:
Even if you are able to stop the bleeding, don't assume that medical care is no longer needed. The wound may still require stitches to heal properly. Certain wounds require vaccination to reduce the risk of tetanus or rabies. Lacerations or puncture wounds on the joints and other vulnerable parts of the body can cause permanent nerve, ligament, or tendon damage if not treated appropriately. It is therefore important to seek immediate medical care if:
Even if the bleeding is stopped, it should almost invariably be seen by a healthcare provider if the wound is deep or there was profuse, spurting blood. The same applies if there was a significant loss of blood, which could lead to a potentially life-threatening condition known as hypovolemic shock. Call 911 if the injured party experiences signs of shock, including: You should also seek care if the wound becomes infected. See a healthcare provider immediately if the injured party experiences a high fever, chills, nausea or vomiting, and a rapidly expanding area of hot, swollen, and tender skin. These could be signs of a potentially deadly infection known as cellulitis. While you can certainly purchase a fully stocked first aid kit online and in most drugstores, you can put one together on your own. If you do decide to make your own kit (for the house, car, office, etc.), the American Red Cross suggests that you include the following:
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The first step in controlling a bleeding wound is to plug the hole. Blood needs to clot in order to stop the bleeding and start the healing process. Just like ice won't form on the rapids of a river, blood will not coagulate when it's flowing. The best way to stop it is to:
If the gauze or towel soaks through with blood, add another layer. Never take off the gauze. Peeling blood-soaked gauze off a wound removes vital clotting agents and encourages bleeding to resume. Once bleeding is controlled, take steps to treat the victim for shock.
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Gravity makes blood flow down easier than it flows up. If you hold one hand above your head and the other at your side, the lower hand will be red while the higher one is pale. Step two to control bleeding uses this principle.
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When should you use a tourniquet? The simple answer: almost never. Tourniquets severely restrict or occlude blood flow to the arm or leg to which they are applied. Using a tourniquet to stop bleeding has the potential to damage the entire arm or leg. People lose limbs from the use of tourniquets. If a tourniquet doesn't cause a loss of function in the extremity, then it probably wasn't applied correctly.
Applying a tourniquet is a desperate move—only for dire emergencies where the choice between life and limb must be made. To use a tourniquet:
Frequently Asked Questions
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