"He had been working with some glass which had shattered and sliced through an artery in his arm. He passed out from shock and blood loss before he could alert anyone."

Even with a severed artery (esp in the arm), he should have been able to clamp down on it and at least get to the bottom of the stairs and yell for help.

You don't need gauze sponges, pads gloves or anything else. USE YOUR HAND AND APPLY PRESSURE!

What do you want to bet that he gashed himself and fainted from the emotional shock of it, not being prepared/not knowing what to do? And even if he had a panic alarm within reach, would he have hit it? Or would he hit the floor first?

I'm sorry it happened, and he's gonna feel lousy for the next few weeks.

Sue