Bleeding and shock
- Control serious external bleeding by direct pressure on the wound and raising the injured part.
- Treat the casualty for shock: lay them down, raise the legs, keep them warm and reassure them.
- Do not give a shocked or seriously injured casualty anything to eat or drink.
- Recognise internal bleeding from the signs of shock without an obvious wound, and get help.
Burns
Serious bleeding is controlled by firm direct pressure on the wound, and the casualty is treated for shock — the dangerous drop in the circulation that can follow serious injury — by laying them down, raising the legs, keeping them warm and reassuring them. Burns are cooled with clean, cool running water for at least twenty minutes, which limits the damage and eases the pain; the burn is not burst or covered with creams, but covered lightly with clean, non-fluffy material or cling film. A serious or extensive burn is a medical emergency needing radio-medical advice.
WARNING — Cool a burn with water, do nothing else Cool a burn with clean, cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Do not apply creams, butter or ice, do not burst blisters, and do not remove anything stuck to the burn — cooling and covering is the treatment.
TIP — Direct pressure stops most bleeding Most serious external bleeding is controlled by firm, direct pressure on the wound, held long enough for the blood to clot. Raise the injured part if you can, and keep the pressure on.