SEVERE BLEEDING A broken window. A car crash. A careless moment with a knife, ax, or power tool. Suddenly blood is spurting from a nasty wound. Without quick first aid, a person suffering a severe cut can bleed to death in a matter of minutes.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA RECOMMENDATION

Treat all blood as if it were contaminated with blood-borne viruses. Do not use bare hands to slop bleeding1 always use a protective barrier, preferably latex gloves: always wash exposed skin areas with hot water and soap immediately , after treating the victim. The following equipment! is to be included in all first aid hits and used when rendering first aid to those in need:

• Latex gloves, to be used when stopping bleeding or dressing wounds
• A mouth-barrier device for rendering rescue breathing or CPR
• Plastic goggles or other eye protection to prevent a victim's blood from getting into the rescuer's eyes in the went of serious arterial bleeding
• Antiseptic for sterilizing or cleaning exposed shin areas, especially if there is no soap or water available