Stop the Bleed Quick-Reference Guide

Stop the Bleed: Quick-Reference Guide

What to do in the first minutes of a life-threatening bleed. Print this page and keep it with your kit.

1. Make sure the scene is safe. 2. Call 911, or tell a specific person to call. 3. Put on gloves if you have them.

Step 1: Find the bleeding

  • Open or cut away clothing so you can see the wound. Trauma shears make this fast.
  • Treat it as life-threatening if blood is spurting, pooling on the ground, soaking through clothing or bandages, a limb is partly or fully amputated, or the person is confused or losing consciousness.

Step 2: Stop the bleeding with the right tool

Direct pressure
  • Cover the wound with gauze or a clean cloth.
  • Push down hard with both hands, using your body weight.
  • Don't lift to check. Hold until help arrives.
Pack the wound
  • For deep wounds, especially in the neck, armpit, or groin where a tourniquet can't go.
  • Stuff hemostatic gauze (like QuikClot) or plain gauze tightly into the wound until it's full.
  • Hold firm pressure for at least 3 minutes, then keep pressing.
Tourniquet (arm or leg)
  • Place it 2–3 inches above the wound, not on a joint. If unsure, go high on the limb.
  • Tighten until the bleeding stops. It will hurt; that's expected.
  • Write the time on the tourniquet or the skin. Never loosen or remove it.

Step 3: Chest wounds

  • For a penetrating wound to the chest or upper back, cover it with a vented chest seal (or a gloved hand if you don't have one).
  • Check for an exit wound and seal it too.
  • Watch the person's breathing. If it gets worse, tell 911 right away.

Step 4: Until help arrives

  • Keep pressure on, and keep the person warm with a blanket or mylar sheet.
  • Keep them lying down and talk to them.
  • Tell responders what you did and what time the tourniquet went on.
Is your kit ready? The Beacon Kit PRO includes a SAM XT tourniquet, QuikClot hemostatic gauze, vented chest seals, a trauma dressing, and a marker for recording tourniquet time, all in one red Trauma pouch.

This guide is for general education and is not a substitute for hands-on training or professional medical care. We strongly recommend taking a free or low-cost Stop the Bleed course in your area (search "Stop the Bleed class" plus your city). Always call 911 in an emergency. See our Medical Disclaimer.