External bleeding is a profuse and visible flow of blood that escapes from the blood vessels through a wound and does not stop of its own accord.
Causes
External bleeding is most often caused by trauma (a blow, a fall, a knife wound, a gunshot wound, etc.), and less commonly by medical conditions (such as a ruptured varicose vein).
Risks & Consequences
As a result of haemorrhage, the body’s blood volume decreases.
Initially, the heart rate increases to compensate for this loss and maintain sufficient blood flow and pressure in the blood vessels to ensure that blood is distributed throughout the body.
Secondly, if the bleeding is not stopped, blood pressure plummets, blood flow decreases and circulatory distress sets in. This can lead to ‘pump failure’ and cardiac arrest.
External bleeding poses an immediate or very short-term threat to a victim’s life.
Signs
External bleeding is, in most cases, obvious and identified right at the start of the emergency assessment.
Sometimes it is discovered whilst checking for traumatic injuries during further examination. Indeed, the bleeding may be temporarily concealed by the victim’s position or by certain items of clothing (coat, jacket).
External haemorrhage must be distinguished from minor, light bleeding caused by a graze, scratch or skin abrasion, which stops of its own accord.
Principle of emergency response
The rescue operation must ensure that:
- to stop the bleeding immediately in order to minimise blood loss;
- to check for circulatory distress;
- to take the necessary measures to limit its consequences.