A person has a severe bleeding wound on the arm. What is the first action the dispatcher should instruct?

• A. Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth
• B. Elevate the limb only
• C. Wash the wound with soap
• D. Immediately apply a tourniquet

Answer: (A)

Direct, firm pressure on the bleeding wound with a clean cloth or dressing is the initial step to control severe external bleeding. This directly compresses the injured vessels and helps the blood to clot, rapidly reducing blood loss. Elevating the limb can help, but it doesn’t control bleeding as reliably as direct pressure and should accompany it rather than replace it. Washing the wound with soap isn’t necessary and can delay stopping the bleed or irritate tissues. A tourniquet is a last-resort measure used only when direct pressure cannot control life-threatening bleeding or when bleeding continues despite pressure; it requires proper training and carries greater risk. So the dispatcher should instruct to apply direct pressure with a clean cloth, maintain the pressure, and seek emergency assistance.