Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers | May 2, 2025 | Personal Injury
The term exsanguination, in a nutshell, means to die from losing too much blood. Most of us would refer to this casually as “bleeding out.” For exsanguination to occur, a lot of blood must be lost quickly. This could happen from an accident, a surgical complication, an injury, a childbirth complication, or blood diseases.
How Much Blood Loss Will Cause Exsanguination?
For a person to die from blood loss, they typically need to lose approximately one-half to two-thirds of their total blood volume. The average adult body contains just over one gallon of blood (about 4.5 to 5.5 liters), though this varies with body size. Blood accounts for roughly 7% of an individual’s body weight, meaning a relatively small volume loss can become life-threatening. For instance, an adult weighing 150 pounds could experience fatal exsanguination after losing just 10 cups of blood.
Death from hemorrhage can occur rapidly, often within two to five minutes, when bleeding is severe. A rupture of the jugular vein in the neck can lead to death within this short time frame. Even more critically, a ruptured aorta—the primary artery responsible for transporting blood from the heart—can result in total blood volume loss in as little as 60 seconds. This urgency is one reason cardiac surgeries involving the aorta are considered extremely high-risk; as little as 30 seconds of uncontrolled bleeding from the aorta can be fatal.
How Does Losing Too Much Blood Lead to Death?
Severe blood less leads to death in a variety of ways. Blood is the oil that keeps the body’s “motor” running. First, the cardiovascular system gets overwhelmed trying to get the tiny amount of remaining blood to every organ and extremity. This causes the body to go into hypovolemic shock. Organs begin to shut down with insufficient blood flow.
While blood contains nutrients like vitamins and minerals, the most important thing it does is oxygenate the organs and tissues. Exsanguination is like the body holding its breath. Blood transfusions can reverse hypovolemic shock if received in time.
Exsanguination vs. Hemorrhaging
Hemorrhaging is a less severe form of blood loss that does not necessarily lead to death. Hemorrhaging is not necessarily life-threatening and may refer to both moderate and severe bleeding. Ultimately, hemorrhaging is a general term referring to a wide range of blood loss types.
Diseases That Often Cause Exsanguination
Many people with blood disorders do live long, vital lives. Nevertheless, exsanguination is more common for those who suffer from:
- Hemophilia
- Aneurysms
- Leukemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
- Sepsis
- Von Willebrand Disease
Even things as innocuous as a vitamin K deficiency can make bleeding out more likely. Liver disease, tumors, and certain cancers can also make blood thin or clotting difficult. The bottom line is that massive blood loss is a serious red flag—it causes 30-40% of traumatic injury deaths, according to the National Library of Medicine.
What Should You Do if Someone Is Bleeding Heavily?
Given that emergency medical personnel typically arrive within 7 to 10 minutes of being called, the risk of exsanguination in traumatic events such as motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian impacts, or cycling accidents is significant. If you encounter someone experiencing heavy bleeding, it is imperative to act immediately. After calling emergency services (911), apply firm, direct pressure to the wound and do not remove your hand until advised by medical professionals. If severe bleeding continues and a tourniquet is available, have another person apply it as close as possible to the injury site while you maintain pressure.
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