Pressure Dressing

Required Materials:

• Disposable gloves (if available)
• Sterile wound dressing (e.g., gauze pad)
• Pressure object (e.g., folded gauze pad or wrapped dressing pack)
• Elastic bandage or triangular bandage
• Scissors (if needed)

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Instructions:

1. Ensure personal protection:

If possible, put on disposable gloves to protect yourself from contact with blood.

2. Identify the bleeding and assess the wound:

Check if the wound is severely bleeding and determine exactly where the bleeding is coming from.

3. Apply a sterile wound dressing:

Place a sterile gauze pad directly on the bleeding site.

4. Apply a pressure object:

Place a pressure object (e.g., another firm gauze pad or a rolled-up dressing pack) directly on top of the first dressing.

5. Secure with a bandage:

Wrap an elastic bandage tightly—but not too tight—around the injured body part, ensuring the pressure object applies direct pressure to the wound.

Make sure the pressure is evenly distributed and the bandage is secure but not constricting.

6. Check bleeding control:

• Confirm whether the bleeding has stopped.
• If blood soaks through the bandage, do not remove it—apply another pressure bandage on top.

7. Check circulation:

After applying the bandage, check the circulation of the affected limb:

• Use the capillary refill test (press on a fingernail—the color should return within 2 seconds).
• If the skin below the bandage turns pale, blue, or cold, the bandage may be too tight—loosen and reapply if necessary.

8. Reassure the patient and elevate the limb:

• Calm the injured person.
• Elevate the injured limb if possible to help reduce the bleeding.