Bleeding is second on the order of priority whilst giving first aid to an injured casualty; because we only have around five to six litres of blood within our bodies, and can easily run out of the wrong type of blood vessels are damaged. Only first aid at work courses detail the four main types of bleeding, mainly because they have three days to go into great detail. This article will address 'the big four' that first aiders need to look for.
The arteries are like highways which run throughout the body delivering a constant supply of oxygenated blood to the muscles, tissues and organs. It is a big responsibility, and there can never be any disruption in the flow of blood. As a result of this they have the thickest walls, which protect them against the pressurised blood that is pumped from the heart. The arteries lie the deepest of all the blood vessels, which helps protect them against damage. This has to be avoided at all costs as major damage can result in the circulatory system collapsing in just ten minutes.
The veins are 'the rivers' of the body. They carry the un-oxygenated blood that has been delivered via the arteries back towards the heart, where it can then be pumped to the lungs to pick up a fresh supply of oxygen. The veins are not controlled by the heartbeat, but instead push blood back to the heart by contracting and releasing the muscles. They lie a little shallower than the arteries, which puts them slightly more at risk to damage. However because of their size the average casualty has roughly double the amount of time to control a bleed when a major vein is damaged.
The capillaries could be likened to the side roads and high streets that are at the heart of every road network. In all they make up the biggest network of tubes within the body, and are responsible for delivering oxygen to the trillions of cells that demand it within the body. Their structure could be likened to a tree branch, which filters off the main arteries, and then delivers oxygen to all the nooks and crannies within the body. Interestingly they are the only blood vessel that has the ability to heal itself when it becomes severed. This is achieved through a combination of dropping blood pressure around the site of the wound, and through the release of platelets which help plug it.
The final type of bleeding on 'the big four list' is internal bleeding. Thus is perhaps one of the most dangerous of them all, whereby first aid at work courses can provide the necessary training to spot the signs and symptoms of the condition. This is because the symptoms can be notoriously hard to detect, and it often takes a course of three days or longer to fully appreciate the effects.
Many people associate bleeding with the visible red blood and a gaping wound. However you can cut yourself just as easy inside the body and the blood can disappear into the inner cavities. The worst thing is that sometimes there are no visible signs other than a very unwell casualty.
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Bill Casserley is an experienced first aid trainer, who regularly volunteers at major events. Do you know the four types of bleeding? If not then visit the first aid at work courses blog @ http://www.train-aid.co.uk for free life saving tips.
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