Catastrophic Bleeds

In the UK, the clinical term for a catastrophic bleed is "life-threatening bleeding." This refers to blood loss so severe (e.g., spurting, pooling, or soaking through clothes) that the casualty could die within minutes.

Following the Resuscitation Council UK (2025) here is how to respond.

1. Safety and Initial Steps

• Check for Danger: Ensure the scene is safe for you to enter. Do not become a second casualty.

• Call 999 Immediately: Ask for an ambulance and explicitly state: "I have a casualty with life-threatening bleeding." Use your phone's speakerphone so your hands remain free.

• Identify the Source: You may need to cut away clothing to find the exact point of the bleed.

  • Note: If there is an object (like a knife or glass) embedded in the wound, do not remove it. It may be acting as a plug.

2. Direct Pressure (First Line of Defence)

If you have no equipment, direct pressure is your most effective tool.

• Apply firm, constant pressure directly over the wound using your hands (ideally with gloves) or a clean cloth.

• If the wound is deep, you may need to "pack" it by pushing the cloth into the cavity and pressing down hard.

• Do not lift the cloth to check if it has stopped; this can disrupt any clots that have started to form.