First Aid for Bleeding

Q: My friend and I often hunt in remote locations. What should we know, as far as first aid is concerned, about stopping bleeding?

A: Accidents happen in the field; that is just a fact of life. There are certain things you should know in the unfortunate event that you or your hunting partner gets cut, and you are suddenly tasked with stopping bleeding.

Severe Bleeding: Cover the wound with a pad and press hard. Stop the bleeding with a bandage. If the pad becomes soaked, do not remove it. Put another pad on top of the first and continue pressure. Get medical help as quickly as possible.

Arterial Bleeding From Arm: Control it by squeezing the artery with the flat of your fingers against the upper arm bone at a pressure point.

Arterial Bleeding from Leg: Control it by pressing the artery with the heel of your hand against the pelvic bone.

We also recommend taking a first-aid course from a certified instructor before your next hunt. The above information is good knowledge to have, but it does not take the place of professional medical advice or training.