Stopping heavy bleeding
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
Heavy bleeding can be life-threatening within minutes. Direct pressure is the first and most important step.
What to do
• Apply firm direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or dressing
• Keep the pressure on without removing the cloth
• If it soaks through, add more cloths on top — do not swap them
• Raise the injured body part above the level of the heart
• Call 112 if the bleeding has not stopped after 10 minutes
Do not do
• Do not remove the cloth to look at the wound
• Do not use a tourniquet on the neck, torso or groin
Warning signs
• Bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure — call 112
• Blood spurting out in pulses — an artery has been hit
• The person becomes unconscious or very pale
Get help if
• The bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes
• The wound needs stitches
• The person loses consciousness
Why this matters
An adult can lose consciousness within 3 to 5 minutes from severe blood loss. Fast action can save a life.
Source: Rode Kruis Eerste Hulp Richtlijnen · reviewed 2025-01-01