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Bleeding Extensive bleeding can cause death if not stopped promptly. External bleeding can be stopped by direct pressure when applied at an appropriate location on the supplying artery, or as a drastic last effort to save a life, by use of a tourniquet. Direct pressure is the first step in controlling bleeding, and is applied by pressing a sanitary dressing directly to the wound. If there is no dressing available, use the bare hand. If blood soaks through a dressing do not remove it; add another dressing on top and continue the pressure. If bleeding persists, continue direct pressure and elevate the extremity above the heart. Gravity helps reduce blood pressure and thus slows bleeding to allow clotting. Pressure Points to the artery supplying blood to the wounded area may be used in addition to the direct pressure if the direct pressure and elevations does not stop the bleeding. While continuing the direct pressure and elevation as described above, choose the pressure point between the heart and the wound that lies closest to the wound. There is a particular need to know the brachial and femoral artery pressure points because of the frequency of injury to arms and legs. The purpose of using a pressure point is to press the artery between the fingers of the first aider and the victim's bone, thus slowing the flow of blood to the injured area. When the pressure point is being effectively applied the first aider can almost always feel the pulse. Nose bleeds can usually be treated effectively by having the victim sit upright in a comfortable position and then squeezing the nostrils together. The pressure should be applied equally to both sides of the nose and should be hard enough to stop bleeding out of the nostrils or down the back of the throat. Continue the pressure for ten to fifteen minutes. A tourniquet should be used only in extreme cases when direct pressure and pressure on the appropriate pressure point have failed to stop Back to the First Aid page.