When controlling bleeding from a forearm injury, what should you do?

Applying pressure with a clean pad directly to the bleeding site is the recommended action for controlling bleeding from a forearm injury. This method effectively helps to stem the flow of blood by compressing the blood vessels in the injured area. Direct pressure is often the first and most critical step in managing traumatic bleeding because it can quickly reduce blood loss and allow the body's natural clotting processes to take effect.

While elevating the arm above the heart can assist in reducing blood flow to the area, it is typically used in conjunction with direct pressure rather than as a standalone measure. A tourniquet may be necessary for severe or life-threatening hemorrhaging, but it should not be the first option for a forearm injury unless direct pressure fails to control the bleeding. Soaking the wound in sterile water is not an appropriate method for managing bleeding and can potentially introduce pathogens to the wound.

Thus, applying direct pressure with a clean pad is the most immediate and effective technique for controlling bleeding in this situation.