Emergency bleeding control: How to stop severe blood loss

If there’s an immediate risk of harm, always call 9-1-1. In this video, Dr. Ayesha Zia, Emergency Physician at The Ottawa Hospital, explains how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and the emergency bleeding control steps you can take to keep someone alive until paramedics arrive. You’ll learn: How to quickly identify emergency bleeding (fast flow, pooling, or blood soaking through clothes) How to apply firm, steady pressure, and when to add layers instead of lifting the initial dressing When and how to use your body weight to maintain pressure on an arm or leg How to control bleeding from a wound that soaks through (add more gauze/cloth and keep pressure) When to call 9-1-1 and what information to give dispatch Severe bleeding is a life-threatening emergency — acting quickly and confidently can save a life. Special thanks to the University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre https://uossc.ca/