If you need immediate help,
please dial 911
Attempted Suicide / Person is Responsive / Person is Bleeding
How To Help Someone Who Is Bleeding
Call 911
Stop The Bleeding
Apply direct pressure on the cut or wound with a clean cloth, tissue, or piece of gauze until bleeding stops
If blood soaks through the material, don’t remove it. Put more cloth or gauze on top of it and continue to apply pressure
If the wound is on the arm or leg, raise limb above the heart to help slow bleeding
Wash your hands again after giving first aid and before cleaning and dressing the wound
Do not apply a tourniquet unless the bleeding is severe and not stopped with direct pressure
Clean Cut Or Wound
Gently clean with soap and warm water. Try to rinse soap out of wound to prevent irritation
Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or iodine, which can damage tissue
Protect The Wound
Apply antibiotic cream to reduce risk of infection and cover with a sterile bandage
Change the bandage daily to keep the wound clean and dry
When To Call A Doctor
The wound is deep or the edges are jagged or gaping open
The wound is on the person’s face
The wound has dirt or debris that won’t come out
The wound shows signs of infection, such as redness, tenderness, or a thick discharge, or if the person runs a temperature over 100º F
The area around the wound feels numb
Red streaks form around the wound
The person has a puncture wound or deep cut and hasn’t had a tetanus shot in the past five years, or anyone who hasn’t had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years
Source: WebMD