What should you do if a soft-tissue injury is heavily bleeding?

Applying direct pressure to a heavily bleeding soft-tissue injury is the most effective initial step in controlling bleeding. This method promotes clot formation at the site of the wound by applying consistent pressure, which can significantly reduce blood loss. Direct pressure is a fundamental technique used in emergency medical situations because it targets the source of the bleeding directly, which is crucial for managing serious injuries.

In addition to direct pressure, elevating the injured limb above the level of the heart can further assist in reducing blood flow to the area, but this should only be done after direct pressure is applied. Soaking the injury in cold water is not an appropriate method for managing bleeding and could potentially introduce further complications or infections. Simply wrapping the injury in a bandage without applying pressure would not be effective in controlling bleeding, as it would lack the necessary force to aid in clotting. Therefore, direct pressure is the recommended first aid response in this scenario.