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First aid · Australia

Severe bleeding

Call 000, lie the person down, apply firm direct pressure on or around the wound and keep pressure on until help arrives. For life-threatening limb bleeding not controlled by pressure, use an arterial tourniquet only if available and you are trained.

Medical emergency? Call 000

What to do

  1. Call 000 for severe bleeding

    Call 000 for heavy, spurting or uncontrolled bleeding, or signs of shock such as pale, clammy skin, faintness, confusion or collapse.

    Take care. Do not give the person food or drink.

  2. Apply direct, continuous pressure

    Use gloves if available, expose the wound and apply firm, direct and continuous pressure with your hands or a pad.

    Avoid: Cleaning or washing a life-threatening bleed before pressure is working.

    Take care. Do not repeatedly lift the pad to inspect the wound.

  3. If blood soaks through

    If blood soaks through, keep the first pad in place, add one more pad and a tighter bandage, then check that pressure is directly over the bleeding point.

  4. If an object is embedded

    If an object is embedded, do not remove it. Apply pressure on either side and build pads around it before bandaging.

    Take care. Do not remove an embedded object.

  5. Uncontrolled life-threatening limb bleeding

    For life-threatening bleeding from a limb that pressure cannot control, use an arterial tourniquet above the wound if available and trained; note the time and do not remove it.

    Take care. Do not use a tourniquet for ordinary bleeding or over a joint/wound.

Know when to act

When to get help

  • Severe, spurting or uncontrolled bleeding, an amputation, major trauma or signs of shock requires 000.

Children and babies

  • Use an appropriately sized pad and the same firm, direct pressure principles for a child, while following the 000 call-taker.
  • Children can deteriorate quickly. Pale or clammy skin, faintness, confusion, unusual sleepiness or breathing changes are emergency signs.
  • Do not remove an embedded object from a child. Support around it with pads and keep the child still and warm.

Keep checking

  • Check consciousness, breathing, pulse and recurrence of bleeding without releasing pressure unnecessarily.

What you may notice

  • Blood may be flowing heavily, spurting or soaking through dressings quickly.
  • The person may become pale, faint, confused, cold or clammy, with a weak rapid pulse or loss of consciousness.
  • An object may be embedded in the wound or the bleeding may be difficult to see.

When help arrives

  • Keep firm pressure on, keep the person still and warm, and give nothing by mouth while waiting.
  • Tell the ambulance crew how much bleeding you saw, what caused it, what dressings or tourniquet were used and the tourniquet time if applicable.

Other useful answers

What if I have no bandage?

Use your hands, a clean cloth or clothing with a barrier if possible and apply firm, direct pressure.

Sources and last update

Content updated: August 2026.

These sources inform the guidance. This independent resource is not a substitute for a first aid course or medical assessment. An editorial update is not independent clinical review. Source organisations have not endorsed this site.

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