Welcome to the 1st Aid Site!
Everything First Aid Related...

My father cut himself about 3 hours ago and will not stop bleeding. Should I take him to the ER?

I am Red Cross first aid certified and have bandaged it up snugly with my first aid kit. The cut doesn't look deep enough for stitches to me but he takes plavix and aspirin every day due to heart problems so I'm supposed to expect a delay for bleeding to stop, but how long?
I should have mentioned that my father refuses to go to the ER. Seeking medical attention will entail calling an ambulance and the police when he refuses to go. I try only to put him, my 2 young children, my husband and myself through this emotional trauma when absolutely necessary.
You can only help someone so much when they don't want help.

Public Comments

1. yes, continue to apply pressure to the would and immediately elevate the wound above heart level. seek medical attention ASAP.

2. Because his blood is thin due to what he takes if it doesn't stop in a another hour I would take him to the ER you don't want him to bleed to death. Have you tried applying pressure to it for a few minutes sometimes that stops it.

3. You could call emergency to address your concerns, they would tell you if it's necessary to bring him in or if in doubt to address your concerns just bring him in.

4. Losing a lot of blood, looking or feeling faint, pale complextion, or other signs he may be losing too much blood - GO NOW!

I generally say stay on the safe side, when in doubt, go. I wouldn't want him to fall asleep with it still bleeding.

Try calling poison control. They are in the phone book. They are there to prevent unnessasary ER visits. They will tell you what is the meds and when to worry.

5. if the bleeding still no stop , the best is see a DR. Remember that life is in the blood, no blood no life!

6. Yes he may of cut a artery

7. yes, there may be something thats not seen thats going on

8. YES, RIGHT AWAY YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT!!!!

9. If you have to ask someone eles for there opionion then you probobly should take him to the ER. I would if it would not stop bleeding after three hours. Especially if it has not even started to scabe over. Because the human body can only lose so much blood so often otherwise... so i would at least take him to the hospital if not the ER so that you could see if he needs a blood transplant.

10. some of the medication your dad is taking is probably blood thinning medication so don't give him any of his medication til you try raising the injured part higher than his heart .if it continues to bleed profusely call an ambulance ok they will give hom medication which will stop the bleeding

11. My guess is that it depends on where the cut is. Can he elevate the cut above his heart (ie: lift his hand over his head)? Is it near a major vein or artery? Is it a small cut or a large one? More info is needed.

There is an old wives tale that if you sprinkle sugar on a cut it will help with clotting. I have used this and it does work. My cuts are with shears on my fingers at work. Nothing really serious.

12. Call your local hospital and ask to speak to a nurse about this.
They will let you know what to do. Your father is taking medication and aspirin that thins his blood so he will not develop blood clots.

13. yes, if someone is still bleeding after 30 minutes it time for the emergency room.

14. Well if it were my father{ speaking from no experience at all , I'm no medical tech
} but I would've taken him to the hospital about 2 and half hours ago, fear that something could be be seriously wrong .. here in kansas we have a ask a nurse ...it's a phone number that is directly to a nurse at Shawnee Mission hospital.Then you ask them about whatever medical concern you may have and it's free . I don't know if you have anything like that were you are at but I use it ALOT here....hope everything turns out ok. good luck

15. Apply pressure firmly and do not let go for about 4-5 minutes, and elevate whatever he cut above his heart for about the same amt of time. if he continues to bleed profusely, take him to the doctor.
He is on plavix and aspirin, so he will not clot as quick as you and I.

16. YES. In the mean time, elevate it and DON'T touch the blood if possible. Don't let anything touch the cut. Soak up the blood w/ a clean towel.

17. If he's not dead yet with all you wrote he could have lost all his blood by now. Better let a doctor make those calls to see if the cut is deep enough for stitches. I feel sorry for him waiting on you to get answers from people who are not medically qualified to give advice. When your hurt don't contact us, call the doctor or get your butt to the emergency room! Use your brain !!!