Which injury would you address first when multiple injuries include spurting bleeding?

• A. Broken arm
• B. Head cut
• C. Bleeding spurting from an open wound
• D. Bruise

Answer: (C)

When multiple injuries are present, you address life-threatening bleeding first. Spurting blood from an open wound signals arterial bleeding, which can drain a person of blood quickly and become fatal if not controlled promptly.

Begin by putting on gloves if you have them, then apply direct, firm pressure on the wound with a clean cloth or bandage. Hold that pressure steadily until the bleeding slows or stops. If the cloth soaks through, place another layer on top without removing the first one, and keep applying pressure. If direct pressure doesn’t control the bleeding and you’re trained to do so, a tourniquet applied above the wound on a limb can be used, but only if you cannot stop the bleed with direct pressure. Call for emergency help and keep the person still, monitoring for signs of shock (cold, pale skin; rapid breathing; dizziness). Other injuries like a broken arm or a bruise are important but not as immediately life-threatening as spurting arterial bleeding.