Manual compression to close off blood vessels can be applied directly or indirectly:
- Direct manual compression involves using the fingers to compress the artery or vein inside the wound.
- Indirect manual compression involves interrupting the blood supply to the damaged artery or vein. In the case of arterial bleeding, the artery should be compressed at a point between the wound and the heart, and for a venous bleed, pressure should be exerted on the vein distal to the wound.
Direct Manual Compression Technique
- If, in the case of arterial bleeding, indirect manual compression is not possible or is ineffective.
- As an alternative to a compression bandage for venous bleeding, if the site or severity of the bleeding makes application of such a bandage impossible.
Procedure
- Apply sterile gauze to the wound. Only do this if the material is close at hand. Do not lose any time.
- Place a thumb or, with bigger wounds, a fist in the wound.
- Push down firmly onto the wound.
- In the case of severe venous bleeding, keep doing this for at least 10 minutes.
- After this time, check whether the bleeding has been controlled.
- If necessary, repeat this procedure.
- In the case of arterial bleeding, keep exerting pressure until the patient’s treatment can be taken over in the clinic.