To stop a nosebleed, have the person sit and lean forward, not back. Then pinch both sides of the nose with a clean dressing and hold steady pressure. If it keeps bleeding, press harder.
Most nosebleeds are more messy than dangerous. A few are true emergencies, though, and knowing the difference helps you stay calm with a scared child or an older adult who is worried about the blood.
How do you stop a nosebleed?
- Protect yourself. Put on medical gloves from the first aid kit. Add eye protection if there is a lot of blood.
- Sit them down. Have the person sit and lean forward.
- Pinch the nose. With a clean dressing, such as gauze, pinch both sides of the nose closed.
- Hold steady pressure. Do not keep letting go to check.
- Press harder if needed. If it keeps bleeding, increase the pressure.
When it is over, remove your gloves inside out and wash your hands with soap and water.
Why should you lean forward during a nosebleed?
Leaning back sends blood down the throat. Swallowed blood can upset the stomach and cause vomiting, which makes the situation harder for everyone.
Leaning forward lets the blood come out the front of the nose, where you can see it. That also helps you judge how heavy the bleeding really is.
Leaning forward is not the same as tilting back
Tilting the head back is the most common nosebleed myth. It only looks like it works, because the blood stops running out of the nose. It is still bleeding. It is just going down the throat instead.
The right position is the opposite: sit up and lean forward. If you work with children, this is worth teaching to every staff member and volunteer, so the child hears the same instruction from every adult in the room.
When is a nosebleed an emergency?
Call 911 if:
- It does not stop after 15 minutes.
- The bleeding is heavy.
- There are signs of a broken bone in the head, nose, or face.
- The person has trouble breathing.
- The person feels dizzy.
- They take blood thinners or bleed easily.
Keep them sitting and leaning forward, and keep pressing while you wait for help.
What if a nosebleed follows a fall or a hit to the head?
A nosebleed after a playground collision, a fall down the church steps, or a ball to the face is a different situation. Look for signs of a head, nose, or face fracture, and for signs of a head injury, such as confusion, headache, dizziness, or vomiting.
If you see those signs, call 911. Our articles on head, neck, and spine injuries and falls explain what to do while you wait.
Why do blood thinners matter for a nosebleed?
Many older adults take blood thinners. People on blood thinners bleed more, and a nosebleed may not stop the way you expect. If an older adult in your care takes blood thinners or bleeds easily, call 911 for a nosebleed instead of waiting it out.
For church and senior ministry volunteers, this is a good reason to ask, “Do you take any medicine?” when you are helping an older member. The answer changes what you do next.
Nosebleeds with young children
A nosebleed can frighten a young child. Stay calm and speak softly. Sit them on your lap or a chair, lean them forward, and hold the pressure for them.
Afterward, let the parent or guardian know what happened, how long it lasted, and anything that seemed to cause it. For heavier bleeding from other injuries, see how to stop severe bleeding.
This article is general education. It does not replace hands-on CPR and first aid training, where you practice these skills with an instructor.
How LP Health Directions can help
- CPR and First Aid classes in Phoenix and Tucson that cover bleeding, head injuries, and falls.
- On-site Group Training for daycares, schools, churches, and workplaces.
- First Aid Solutions with first aid kits stocked with gloves and gauze.
- Ready to train your team? Book a class today.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic, Nosebleeds: First aid
- American Red Cross, Learn First Aid
- American Heart Association, 2025 Guidelines for CPR and ECC
Reviewed September 28, 2026. This article provides general education and does not replace first aid and CPR training, medical advice, or 911 guidance.