How do you Quickly Stop Bleeding?

[Exo212]

I want to know how because I have a friend who struggles with self-harm and has had problems with his wounds not closing. While I am in no way trying to help him "hide" what he's doing, I am concerned he may end up getting a dangerous infection.

[joshtheguitard]

The way I've always done it is to take a soft pad or barely damp paper towel, place it over the wound and firmly but not too tightly, wrap something around it several times and secure it. Maybe someone else has something to add or an alternative, but whenever I've had serious wounds that's how I've always taken care of it. It works well.

[TheMightyBruce]

Apply firm pressure with a clean gauze or cloth-like bandage. When it stops bleeding, apply antiseptic to clean it and apply firm pressure with a new,clean bandage. If the cuts are quite large and might require stitches, I wouldn't recommend that you try to suture them yourself unless you know how and are well practiced in how to do them. If he requires stitches, he really does need to go to an ER to get it done.

[Dimitri]

Apply firm pressure with a clean gauze or cloth-like bandage. When it stops bleeding, apply antiseptic to clean it and apply firm pressure with a new,clean bandage. If the cuts are quite large and might require stitches, I wouldn't recommend that you try to suture them yourself unless you know how and are well practiced in how to do them. If he requires stitches, he really does need to go to an ER to get it done.

I agree, go, now.

[Josiah7]

Apply firm pressure with a clean gauze or cloth-like bandage. When it stops bleeding, apply antiseptic to clean it and apply firm pressure with a new,clean bandage. If the cuts are quite large and might require stitches, I wouldn't recommend that you try to suture them yourself unless you know how and are well practiced in how to do them. If he requires stitches, he really does need to go to an ER to get it done.

I strongly agree also, visiting a healthcare professional is the best thing that can be done. I Strongly advise NOT suturing the wounds what so ever unless you are a healthcare professional. The risk of inflicting large amounts of pain and the high risk of infection, is way to high. Leave it to the trained.

I not long ago made a thread about treatment that untrained people can learn some basics of wound care, I think you would gain some knowledge from reading it the link is here; http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=122509

You sound like a good friend and the person is lucky to have you as one, but advise your friend that medical treatment is the best option :)

[jtk339]

Apply firm pressure with a clean gauze or cloth-like bandage. When it stops bleeding, apply antiseptic to clean it and apply firm pressure with a new,clean bandage. If the cuts are quite large and might require stitches, I wouldn't recommend that you try to suture them yourself unless you know how and are well practiced in how to do them. If he requires stitches, he really does need to go to an ER to get it done.

I agree totally apart from do not apply antiseptic as he may be allergic. The best thing to use to clean a wound is Salt water Fairly strong (saline)

And use a clean non fluffy pad or bandgae

[Dimitri]

I agree totally apart from do not apply antiseptic as he may be allergic. The best thing to use to clean a wound is Salt water Fairly strong (saline)

And use a clean non fluffy pad or bandgae

If he asked "Please, help me to perform a nice sterile technique to help my open wound" we would have mentioned the saline but seeing as the topic stated "Quickly" and both Josiah7 and myself practice emergency styles we thought ours might work quickly....

I am sorry if I came across as cross and I apologize. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

[Exo212]

Thank you all for your advice and kind words. I really do appreciate the link as well... I wish my friend would just *stop* but he always has new marks...:(
I think I'm going to take an EMT course.(motivated by him, but I was thinking about it anyway.) again, thanks to you all!:)

[Josiah7]

No problem mate, I hope the link helped, you sound like a good friend, and in regards to the EMT course its a fantastic idea and I strongly advise it, we don't have EMT's over here but I'm like a EMT highly enjoy it. You have a good character for being a medic, so go for it. Dimitri is a EMT himself so I'm sure he could answer any questions you may have about it.

Always be there to support your friend, be a good listener, and help him in anyway you can. All the best, God Bless :)

[jtk339]

:) go for it

[canadaski]

Don't put paper on the wound. Paper is porous and it will stick to the clotted blood when you attempt to remove it. Disinfect it first with iodine or a little isopropyl alcohol, and then cover the wound with gauze and medical tape. Medical tape is important because it sticks to skin but can also be removed easily.

[Spook]

Like the others hinted; pressure with a clean, disinfected item is the best way to go. Also, sterilizing the wound afterwards is a good way to go. Overall; though I am not encouraging self harm; a big part of infection is what is used to make the cut. He needs to make sure that the razor or object that he is using to cut is clean and sterilized. If any toxins or tetanus get in the bloodstream, that is what will be a problem. A tetanus shot is a good idea for that matter, as well.

[transportphile]

rub antispetic on it, it might sting, use plasters or a bandage ir rag or anything and hold above the heart