Nasal First Aid
Nasal first aid (Gold standard; Trotter's / Hippocratic method)
- Sit patient's head forward over a bowl/ sink
- Pinch to soft part of nose (cartilaginous part), compressing both nostrils
- Hold position for at least 20 minutes without releasing the pressure
- Suck on some ice/ apply ice packs over forehead or nape of neck
- Encourage patient to spit blood out instead of swallowing
Nasal first aid (Alternative)
Note: Pinching the soft part of the nose for 20 minutes continuously can be relatively tiring!
Here’s another useful way/ position to apply pressure continuously for 20 minutes:
- Rest both elbows on a flat surface at a comfortable level (ie. a table)
- Lean forward over a bowl
- Cross your fingers and apply pressure onto nose with both thumbs
Advantage: This position is less tiring as it does not put a strain on the intrinsic muscles of the hand responsible for pinching
Positioning
