What is your top priority when encountering a person with life-threatening external bleeding?

When encountering a person with life-threatening external bleeding, the top priority is to start controlling the bleeding with direct pressure. This is because severe bleeding can lead to shock and death within minutes if not addressed promptly. Applying direct pressure directly on the wound is an immediate action that can significantly reduce blood loss. This method is effective because it compresses blood vessels and helps clots to form, which is critical in a situation where every second counts.

While calling for emergency services and assessing consciousness are important components of a broader response to an emergency, they should occur after or simultaneously with actions to control bleeding, rather than as the first step. In a life-threatening situation, applying pressure to stop the bleeding is the most urgent and necessary intervention to stabilize the victim before further medical help arrives or additional assessments are made. Applying a bandage may also be a critical step, but it typically comes after the initial application of direct pressure to help maintain control over the bleeding.