When someone is seriously injured and bleeding, what should be the immediate course of action?

In the case of a serious injury where someone is bleeding, the immediate course of action should focus on both personal safety and addressing the injury. Protecting oneself from blood and other bodily fluids is essential, as blood can carry infectious diseases. Wearing gloves, if available, ensures safety for the responder while providing assistance.

At the same time, trying to control the bleeding through direct compression is a critical step. Applying pressure to the wound helps to slow or stop the bleeding, which is vital in preventing further blood loss and stabilizing the person until professional help arrives.

Both of these actions—protecting oneself and managing the bleeding—are necessary components of a proper response to a medical emergency involving serious injuries. Thus, the correct answer encompasses the importance of personal safety as well as the immediate treatment of the injury.