Minor cuts and grazes usually stop bleeding within a few minutes of firm pressure and can be cared for at home. Bleeding becomes an emergency when it is heavy, will not stop, or causes signs that the body is losing too much blood.
Call your local emergency number for bleeding that spurts or pumps out (suggesting an artery), soaks rapidly through cloth or dressings, will not stop after about 10 to 15 minutes of continuous firm pressure, comes from a deep or large wound, or is accompanied by dizziness, paleness, sweating, confusion, or fainting. Coughing up or vomiting blood, passing black tarry or bloody stools, and heavy vaginal bleeding with dizziness also need urgent care.
While waiting for help, press firmly and continuously on the wound with a clean cloth, raise the injured part if possible, and keep the person warm and lying down if they feel faint. Do not keep lifting the cloth to check, maintain steady pressure.