Most people are aware of or have taken a CPR course at one point or another in their life. But a lesser-known program called “Stop the Bleed” is gathering steam and is also considered a bona fide life saver.
The National Stop the Bleed program was created in 2015 by the White House in response to growing concerns with mass casualty incidents. Recognizing that bystanders will always be on scene prior to a trained medical professional, they decided to put a training program together to help out in these situations.
They estimate that “40% of trauma-related deaths worldwide are due to bleeding or its consequences, firmly establishing hemorrhage as the most common cause of preventable death in trauma.”
When it comes to traumatic injuries, the first few minutes are critical. In fact, blood loss from traumatic injuries can cause death within the first two minutes. In order to stop blood loss and save a life relatively little is needed in the form of supplies which is why the training makes so much sense.
Stop the Bleed training classes are conducted through a variety of different organizations. Even some local hospitals will provide the training to their communities and usually the cost is free. The course was created by the American College of Surgeons and by following this link you can find one to attend in your area bleedingcontrol.org There are also Stop the Bleed Kits available that can be kept in your car or handbag when out in public.
Here are some basic tips to follow if you find yourself in a situation that requires you to act fast on a trauma scene.
- Call 911. Make sure that yourself or someone nearby contacts 911 and they send first responders to your location.
- Check your surroundings. With incidents such as mass shootings, fires, and wrecks, ensure your safety.
- Identify the source of the bleeding.
- Control the bleeding using compression methods and apply continuous pressure to the wound.
The last tip is to make yourself an advocate for Stop the Bleed awareness. The more people who are aware of and participate in the training, the more lives that will be saved in the long run. Always remember that it is the collection of differences that we all make in our daily lives that leads to our overall success as a group.
For more information please visit: https://nationalstopthebleedday.org/
