Final answer:
The first step in controlling bleeding from an arm cut by a circular saw is applying direct pressure to the wound. This measure is necessary before considering elevation of the limb or airway maintenance since the patient is alert and communicating. Ensuring to follow standard precautions is critical for the safety of both the rescuer and the patient.
Step-by-step explanation:
When responding to a 25-year-old man who has cut his arm with a circular saw and the bleeding is bright red and spurting, indicating arterial bleeding, the first step in controlling his bleeding would be applying direct pressure to the wound. Following standard precautions is crucial to protect both the rescuer and the victim from possible bloodborne pathogens, hence wearing gloves or using a barrier when coming into contact with blood is necessary. Elevating the arm may assist in reducing blood flow due to gravity's effects, thereby working as a supportive measure, but direct pressure is the immediate response to halt bleeding effectively. Maintaining the airway is relevant in trauma care, but in this case, the patient is already alert and conversing, so airway management is not the priority.
It's also important to note the significance of monitoring for increased redness, swelling, and pain after a cut or abrasion, as these can be signs of infection. The first response of the body's wound-healing is clot formation, followed by additional steps such as inflammatory response and tissue repair processes. Lastly, for a person using a sharp object who notices bleeding, he must cut into the papillary dermis or deeper layers to bleed, as superficial layers like the stratum corneum do not contain blood vessels