37.18. The casualty has bleeding from a wound in the neck area. Which method of stopping the bleeding will be the most correct:
UAУ постраждалого кровотеча з рани в області шиї. Який метод зупинки кровотечі буде найбільш правильний:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety through the lens of first aid after a traffic accident. The theoretical exam tests not only knowledge of traffic regulations but also the driver’s ability to act quickly and correctly in a critical situation, when the victim’s life depends on the first seconds. Bleeding in the neck area is among the most dangerous, as large blood vessels are located nearby, and massive blood loss can occur very quickly.
In essence, this question checks the section “Driver’s duties in case of an accident” (point 2.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine), which directly states the need to take possible measures to provide first aid. The correct approach here is based on the principle: first, immediate temporary control of bleeding, and only then other actions (calling an ambulance, preparing a dressing). That is why the most appropriate initial method for the neck is rapid direct pressure at the wound site or pressing the vessel on the side of the injury, which gives a chance to buy time for further steps.
Analysis of the answer options in this context shows the logic of first aid: a tourniquet, as a standard method for limbs, is not applied to the neck because it is dangerous and can block breathing or blood supply; a pressure bandage may be effective at the next stage, but it requires time and materials that may not be available in the first seconds. In contrast, finger pressure is the fastest way to temporarily reduce or stop dangerous bleeding in the neck, which makes it the correct choice within the requirements of the traffic rules and first aid practice.
Clause 2.10 (subclause "d")
In the event of involvement in a road traffic accident, the driver is obliged to: "take possible measures to provide pre-medical assistance to the victims, call an ambulance, and if necessary, send the victims to the nearest medical facility."
Brief explanation of the application of the clause: the exam question checks practical understanding that "pre-medical assistance" includes immediate actions to temporarily stop dangerous bleeding (until the arrival of medical professionals). For the neck area, the fastest method of initial bleeding control is digital compression (direct pressure/compression of the vessel at the wound site), since applying a tourniquet to the neck is not used as a standard method.
That is, the correct answer is "Digital compression of the wound," considering that according to the Traffic Rules, the driver must take possible measures to provide pre-medical assistance to the victims, and in the case of dangerous bleeding from the neck area, the fastest way to temporarily stop it is digital compression.
Bleeding in the neck area is always considered potentially very dangerous because large blood vessels, particularly the carotid arteries, are located nearby. If an artery is damaged, the blood is bright red and may spurt out in pulses. In such a situation, time is critical: even a delay of tens of seconds can lead to critical blood loss.
It is impossible and dangerous to apply a tourniquet to the neck, and preparing a dressing or searching for materials takes up precious time. That is why the most correct first action in case of severe neck bleeding is to immediately stop it temporarily using the fastest method that does not require preparation, that is, to press the bleeding site with your fingers.
In practice, this looks like the following: You firmly press the area of the wound or the vessel near it with your fingers so that the bleeding stops or significantly decreases. If arterial bleeding is suspected in the neck, press the vessel on the side of the injury, focusing on the area to the side of the larynx, applying strong pressure until the pulsation disappears and the bleeding lessens. This is a temporary measure that allows you to buy time for further actions (applying a pressure sterile dressing, calling an ambulance, etc.).
Therefore, the correct answer is "Finger pressure on the wound," since with neck bleeding, immediate temporary cessation of blood loss is required, and finger pressure is the fastest and most suitable method in this area.