National STOP THE BLEED Month is observed every May. This initiative is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of stopping bleeding in emergency situations. To date, the American College of Surgeons’ STOP THE BLEED® program has prepared nearly 4 million people worldwide on how to stop bleeding in a severely injured person. The ability to control bleeding in an emergency can make a life-or-death difference,
The U.S. Department of Defense has joined with a number of other governmental and private organizations in a public/private partnership to offer bleeding control classes and equipment standards under its STOP THE BLEED® trademark and licensing program.
This year marks the 6th annual National STOP THE BLEED® Month in May, and the 7th annual National STOP THE BLEED® Day on May 23. The American College of Surgeons STOP THE BLEED® program arms people with the knowledge and technical abilities to truly make a difference in a person’s life if a bleeding emergency occurs.
STOP THE BLEED® empowers communities worldwide to learn basic life-saving bleeding control techniques. It helps ‘bridge the gap’ between a 911 call and emergency medical services (EMS) arrival.
How to Participate
Getting involved in STOP THE BLEED® training is a great way to equip yourself with life-saving skills. Here are some steps you can take:
Take a STOP THE BLEED® course: These classes are offered by licensed STOP THE BLEED® Instructors and combine a lecture period with hands-on training. Once you complete the class, you’ll be eligible for STOP THE BLEED® Bleeding Control; Basic (B-CON) Certificate.
Online Course: The STOP THE BLEED® Interactive Course guides you through the three methods of bleeding control using video demonstrations, interactive learning, and spontaneous quizzes.
Become an instructor: If you’ve taken a STOP THE BLEED® course and you’re in one of the approved instructor categories, you are eligible to become an instructor. By teaching others how to STOP THE BLEED®, you are empowering the public to become immediate responders.
What You’ll Learn
In a STOP THE BLEED® course, you’ll learn three quick techniques to help save a life before someone bleeds out:
- How to use your hands to apply pressure to a wound
- How to pack a wound to control bleeding
- How to correctly apply a tourniquet
Most STOP THE BLEED® courses typically last under 90 minutes. The course usually includes a formal presentation followed by hands-on practice of applying direct pressure, packing a wound, and using a tourniquet to stop bleeding. This duration allows for both theoretical learning and practical application, ensuring that participants are well-equipped to handle bleeding emergencies.
Cost
Typically, most STOP THE BLEED® courses are offered free of charge. However, there may be some expenses incurred to hold a course. It’s recommended to check with your local instructors to see if there is a fee for their courses. All instructors volunteer their time and expertise to teach these life-saving techniques. The STOP THE BLEED® Interactive Course is also available online for free.
A bleeding injury can happen anywhere, and by learning how to STOP THE BLEED®, you’ll gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively to control bleeding. So, find a course near you and get trained.
Final Thoughts
National STOP THE BLEED® Month is a crucial initiative that highlights the importance of early intervention in the case of severe bleeding. By educating and empowering individuals, we can all play a part in saving lives.
A bleeding injury can happen anywhere, and by learning how to STOP THE BLEED®, you’ll gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively to control bleeding. So, find a course near you and get trained.
STOP THE BLEED® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency. The American College of Surgeons’ STOP THE BLEED® program is operated pursuant to a licensing agreement granted it by the DoD.
Resource
STOP THE BLEED®
STOPTHE BLEED.org