How should a first responder control severe bleeding?

To control severe bleeding effectively, applying direct pressure to the wound and elevating the affected area, if possible, is the most appropriate method. When direct pressure is applied, it helps to compress the blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the area, which can significantly slow down or stop the bleeding. Elevation aids this process by using gravity to reduce blood flow to the injury site, further assisting in clot formation.

This approach is a fundamental principle in first aid for managing severe hemorrhage and is widely recommended in emergency response protocols. It is crucial because it addresses the immediate need to control bleeding while other interventions are prepared or transported to a medical facility, ensuring the safety and stability of the patient.

The other options, while they may have their contexts, do not provide the prompt and effective response needed in cases of severe bleeding. Allowing bleeding to stop on its own can lead to serious consequences, including shock or death. Using a tourniquet is generally reserved for cases where direct pressure fails or in extremities where severe limb injuries occur, and cleaning the wound, although important in treatment after bleeding control, does not address immediate hemorrhaging.