To stop a serious bleeding cut, you have to follow these steps:

Lay down the affected person. If possible, the person’s head should be slightly lower than the trunk or legs. This position reduces the chances of fainting, increasing the blood flow to the brain. If possible, raise the bleeding area, for instance, a wounded hand can be placed above the heart’s level to reduce the blood flow.

Clean carefully the bleeding wound.

Apply pressure directly on the wound with a sterile bandage or clean rag. Use your own hands if nothing else is available.

Keep pressure until bleeding stops, and when it does, carefully wrap the bleeding zone with a compress bandage (if you don’t have one at hand, use a clean rag.)

If bleeding continues and blood seeps through the bandage or rag, don’t remove it; add more absorbent material upon it, and if it doesn’t stop, contact medical assistance immediately.

If the bleeding doesn’t stop with direct pressure, it may be necessary to apply pressure on the main artery that dispenses blood to the wound’s zone. In the case of a wound on the hand or forearm, for instance, press the arteries found in the hollow of the elbow against the bone.

Once the bleeding has been controlled, the bleeding area has to be immobilized, leaving the bandages in place, and the wounded person must be taken to an emergency service as soon as possible.