What kind of pressure do you apply if the bleeding is severe?

Prepare for the Red Cross Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with explanations. Be ready for your certification exam!

When managing severe bleeding, applying firm pressure is crucial to control the blood flow effectively. This method helps to constrict the blood vessels and assist in forming clots, which are vital for stopping the bleeding. Firm pressure should be applied directly to the wound, and it is important to maintain this pressure without lifting it to check if the bleeding has stopped, as doing so can disrupt any forming clots.

Other techniques, such as gentle or moderate pressure, may not be sufficient to control severe bleeding, as they might not provide the necessary force to compress the blood vessels adequately. Similarly, applying no pressure would allow the bleeding to continue unimpeded, which can lead to serious complications, including shock or loss of life. Thus, employing firm pressure is the most effective approach when dealing with severe bleeding situations.

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