What should be done when applying first aid for external hemorrhage?

Applying direct pressure to the wound is a critical step in controlling external hemorrhage. When a person experiences bleeding from an injury, the primary goal of first aid is to stop or slow down the bleeding to prevent excessive blood loss and stabilize the patient's condition. By applying direct pressure to the wound, you help compress the blood vessels, promoting clot formation and reducing blood flow to the area affected.

While monitoring the patient continuously, keeping them in a lying position, and potentially cutting away clothing can be important in certain contexts of first aid, they do not address the immediate and urgent need to control the bleeding. Direct pressure is the most effective method for this scenario and should be prioritized to ensure the patient's safety and well-being.