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Emergency Medicine & First Aid vocabulary · Bleeding and Wounds

Direct pressure

Meaning in emergency medicine & first aid, with examples

/dəˈrekt ˈpreʃər/nounCore term

In emergency medicine & first aid, direct pressure means: Firm pressure pressed straight onto a bleeding wound, by hand or with a dressing, to slow or stop external bleeding.

In Turkish: doğrudan bası, direkt bası, yara üzerine bası

How it is used

The name of the basic method for external bleeding taught on first aid courses. You apply, keep or maintain direct pressure. Trainers also mention 'wound packing' for deep wounds and the tourniquet for limb bleeding that direct pressure cannot control.

Example sentences

  1. Keep direct pressure on it. Don't lift the pad to check.

  2. Direct pressure alone stopped the bleeding from his hand.

Common collocations

  • apply direct pressure
  • maintain direct pressure
  • firm direct pressure
  • bleedingThe loss of blood from a damaged blood vessel, either out of the body through a wound or inside the body where it cannot be seen.
  • tourniquetA tight band placed around an arm or leg above a wound to stop heavy bleeding by squeezing the blood vessels shut.
  • dressingA sterile pad or covering placed directly on a wound to protect it, absorb blood and help it heal.
  • woundAn injury where the skin or other tissue is cut, torn, pierced or broken, for example by a knife, glass, a fall or a bite.

More terms: Bleeding and Wounds

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.