What type of dressing is important for major bleeding management?

The focus in managing major bleeding is to apply direct pressure to control the flow of blood, which is why a pressure bandage is critical in this context. A pressure bandage is specifically designed to apply pressure to the wound, helping to stop the bleeding effectively. This type of dressing often incorporates a gauze pad that can be used to cover the wound, along with elastic or cohesive material that helps maintain the necessary pressure.

In the case of major bleeding, it is crucial to stop or slow down blood loss to prevent shock or further complications. Utilizing a pressure bandage, along with the techniques of direct pressure and elevation of the injured area if possible, is considered best practice in emergency care.

While other dressing types have their own specific uses—like occlusive dressings for preventing air from entering a wound or absorbent padding for general absorption—they do not specifically focus on applying the pressure needed to control major bleeding. A triangular bandage can be useful in certain situations, such as creating a sling or holding a dressing in place, but it lacks the focused pressure application that a pressure bandage provides.