Catastrophic Bleeding First Aid Course

When it comes to learning how to treat a catastrophic bleed, St John Ambulance Cymru is a trusted and leading training provider in Wales. In the UK, St John Ambulance is one of the voluntary aid societies (VAS) recognised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as standard setters for first aid training under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. As a recognised voluntary aid society, we do not require external accreditation through an awarding organisation.

Catastrophic bleeding is essentially life threatening bleeding. You may also refer to it as a catastrophic haemorrhage. A catastrophic bleed means that there is significant blood loss, and that immediate medical attention is needed to control bleeding to prevent a potentially fatal conclusion. Through catastrophic bleeding first aid training you will have the skills to save a life should you need to.

A tourniquet is a tool that is used on a patient in catastrophic bleeding first aid. We use it to apply pressure to the blood vessel. It consists of a wide band, often made of elastic or rubber material, which is tightly wrapped around the limb above the site of bleeding. The purpose of a tourniquet is to temporarily halt or significantly reduce blood flow to the affected area, effectively stopping the bleeding. They are used when applying direct pressure on the wound is not effective enough. It's important to note that tourniquets should be used as a last resort and only in situations where there is an immediate threat to life due to severe bleeding. Improper or prolonged use of a tourniquet can lead to complications, such as tissue damage or limb loss. Therefore, a sound knowledge of tourniquet application and usage is crucial, and medical assistance should be sought as soon as possible after applying a tourniquet in order to manage a bleed. If you are in a position where you have been tasked with severe bleeding control, the absolute first thing you should do in all situations if possible is to call 999.

You should consider this course if your workplace has a risk of serious injuries involving severe or life threatening bleeding. If you’re unsure, a first aid needs risk assessment will help determine the level of training required.