What should you do if you encounter blood during a first aid situation?

When encountering blood during a first aid situation, wearing gloves and taking precautions is essential for several reasons. First and foremost, using gloves helps prevent direct contact with blood, which is crucial for protecting both the first aid provider and the victim from potential infections or diseases. Blood can carry pathogens, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, so minimizing exposure is a key safety measure.

In addition to wearing gloves, taking precautions includes ensuring the area is safe and that you are following universal precautions. This means treating all blood as potentially infectious and handling it in a way that reduces your risk and that of others around you. Proper disposal of items contaminated with blood, such as gauze or gloves, is also a critical component of this approach to minimize health risks.

Other options, such as ignoring the blood, would not address the potential health hazard posed by exposure to blood. Simply wiping it with a cloth does not provide sufficient protection or containment of the situation, and calling for additional help, while sometimes necessary, does not directly address the immediate need for personal safety and effective handling of blood exposure. Therefore, the most appropriate and responsible action is to wear gloves and take the necessary precautions.