Some of the most hazardous scuba diving injuries involve severe bleeding wounds and serious lacerations. Although they are not regular causes of fatalities, bleeding profusely underwater has serious implications for divers. You may consider the following advice particularly appropriate for bleeding injuries caused by dive knives, stingrays, sharks and boat propellers.

Signs & Symptoms of Severe Bleeding Wounds:
• Extensive, ragged, deep wounds or lacerations
• Blood spurting or flowing rapidly from a wound
• Shock
• Unconsciousness
• Death (can occur within minutes)

First Aid Treatment for Severe Bleeding Wounds (rapid):
• Check the consciousness, airway and breathing; begin resuscitation if necessary
• Apply direct pressure to the wound (except with embedded object)
• Elevate the wound
• Apply a pad over the wound and secure with a clean dressing; keep the pad over the wound
• Lay the victim down and elevate their feet
• Send for an ambulance
• Keep the victim still and monitor their vital signs
• Provide supplementary oxygen if able

Special Considerations for Severe Bleeding Wounds:
If bleeding continues through the initial pad, leave the pad in place and apply a second pad and bandage over the first. If bleeding still continues, replace the second pad and bandage. If major bleeding continues, it may be necessary to remove the initial pad and to reapply it in a better position if possible.

A constrictive bandage (>5cm wide) may be used as a last resort after other methods to control life-threatening bleeding from a limb have failed.

If transport of the victim is unavoidable, do so with the victim laying down and the legs elevated if possible. The victim must be handled gently.