PSR ExpertPrimitive Survival Rating

Field First Aid

Bleeding control

Direct pressure remains the core of field haemorrhage control across military and wilderness medicine.

1 min readLow energyHigh reliability

At a glance

Energy investmentLow energyTechnique and materials matter more than strength.
ReliabilityHigh reliability
TimeImmediate action

Materials

  • Clean cloth
  • Improvised bandage
  • Tourniquet only if trained and indicated

Steps

  1. 1Expose the wound; apply firm direct pressure.
  2. 2Add dressing; do not peek repeatedly.
  3. 3Elevate if practical; treat for shock (warmth, calm, lying down).
  4. 4Use tourniquet only for life-threatening limb bleeds you cannot control otherwise—and note the time.
Wilderness bleeding control kit: gauze, a bandage wound tight over a branch, an improvised windlass tourniquet, shears and clean water
Direct pressure first, hard and held. The tourniquet is for bleeding that pressure alone will not stop.

Common mistakes

  • Removing pressure to “check” too often
  • Tourniquet used casually for minor bleeds
  • Ignoring shock

Other methods

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