Would you know what to do when seconds count?

            I posted this blog two years ago during the height of the COVID pandemic, and in light of the answers that I have gotten when I asked the question above, it seems that this valuable skill needs to be brought to people’s attention again.

            You may never be confronted with a person who is bleeding severely as the result of a motor vehicle accident, a workshop injury, a shooting or a stabbing but those events happen every day somewhere and more than 100 persons die EVERY DAY in the United States from uncontrolled hemorrhage. If the majority of citizens were to take the one-hour Stop The Bleed course that is offered in almost every city and town, they could save an estimated 10,000 lives each year. Think about that enormous number!

Stop The Bleed is a program that began after the murder of 20 schoolchildren and 6 school staff members in Sandy Hook, Connecticut in 2012. Recognizing that a victim of a stabbing, shooting, car accident or workshop mishap can die within 4 or 5 minutes from blood loss, and that 40,000  persons die that way in the U.S. annually, the Department of Defense, the American College of Surgeons and other organizations put together a course that teaches the simple steps that could save thousands of lives every year.

            The methods are simple and take only minutes to learn, although the hands-on practice that all students demonstrate in order to obtain a certificate of completion takes a little longer. The techniques shown in the program are only meant to control deadly hemorrhage in the few minutes before emergency responders arrive: Press, Pack, Tourniquet.

            Knowing what to do is important but you need to have access to the means of stopping extreme loss of blood. That requires such things as gauze pads or rolls and tourniquets. Do you have these items in your home, your car, your office, your boat or your RV? I didn’t think so!

            Acquiring these items won’t drain your savings. Start with a small pouch, or even a Ziplock bag. Several rolls of 3- or 4-inch gauze, two tourniquets and cheap scissors are the basics. You might want to include a pressure dressing or Israeli bandage but applying these takes training and practice.

To learn more about this program and to find a class near you go to  www.stopthebleed.org. That site also includes access to online programs.

            In June I will resume teaching the Stop The Bleed course at the St. Thomas More church in Oceanside. Although originally designed for members of the parish, I can easily accommodate anyone in North County San Diego. To date I have trained more than 100 parishioners in these critical skills.

            Since we have already covered the costs of the training materials there will be no charge for the class. However, any participants who wish to make a donation to the church for the use of the space would be welcome to do so. Classes will be held on Saturday mornings at the parish center and will be limited to eight participants, each of whom will receive a certificate of completion. If necessary, I will hold two classes each Saturday morning.

            I will announce the dates of the course in May.

            For those who live outside this area you can find a Stop The Bleed class where you live. If you don’t immediately find one online at the website shown above, it’s likely that classes are being offered at your local medical center. If the main operator is not aware of the course, ask to speak to the Emergency Room supervisor.