How should you respond to a spontaneous nosebleed in a responsive person?

The appropriate response to a spontaneous nosebleed in a responsive person is to pinch the soft portion of the nose with your thumb and index finger. This technique helps to apply pressure directly to the source of the bleeding, which can promote clotting and reduce the flow of blood. By pinching the nose, the individual can also keep their head slightly forward to prevent blood from flowing down the throat, which could potentially cause choking or gagging.

Tilting the head back is not recommended because it can lead to swallowing blood, which may irritate the stomach and cause nausea. Asking someone to blow their nose forcefully can exacerbate the bleeding by dislodging any clot that may have started to form, making the situation worse rather than helping. Applying ice to the back of the neck is also not a standard treatment for nosebleeds and does not directly address the bleeding from the nose itself.