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News > Camping Tips > How to stop an injury from excessive bleeding
How to stop an injury from excessive bleeding
Ideally, you won't have to deal with heavy bleeding when out in the backcountry, but you never know when an injury may occur. If you or one of your camping buddies gets hurt, it's important that you know how to treat the wound as quickly as possible.
Your first step should be to apply direct pressure to the wound until bleeding stops - use absorbent gauze, place pressure on top and elevate the wound above the heart. If the blood soaks through, place more gauze and continue applying pressure.
Once the bleeding has stopped, clean the wound thoroughly with clean water. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it completely with a tight bandage. If you notice increased pain, heat or swelling, see a doctor before those symptoms become worse.
Note that you should not close up wounds caused by animal bites or those that can't be thoroughly cleaned, as you may end up making matters worse. These injuries have a much higher risk of infection and demand special treatment before they are closed.
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