I agree with you, but you speak from the perspective of an doctor in an ER (and use medical terminology). In first aid, one would not put a finger in the wound.

I agree with you, but you speak from the perspective of an doctor in an ER (and use medical terminology). In first aid, one would not put a finger in the wound. I would like to clear this up for laypersons: It's either direct pressure on the wound, if possible with some padding, like this: http://www.roteskreuz.at/typo3temp/pics/17_EH_Blutung-Arm_3923b750bb.jpg http://www.roteskreuz.at/typo3temp/pics/17_EH_Blutung-Arm_39... If you don't have gloves, or while putting them on, have the patient do it - with a wound of this size, this usually works well. If the wound is too big, apply direct pressure on the artery between the heart and the wound, like this: http://www.citizencorps.fema.gov/cert/IS317/medops/images/ic_04_02_0130.jpg http://www.citizencorps.fema.gov/cert/IS317/medops/images/ic... Apply just as much pressure as needed to stop the bleeding, use your fist if your fingers are not strong enough. Wait for the ambulance to apply a more permanent solution.