May is Stop the Bleed Month: Here’s Why It Matters

Did you know that uncontrolled bleeding is one of the leading causes of preventable death after injury?

That’s why May is dedicated to Stop the Bleed, a national awareness campaign that teaches everyday people (in other words, non-healthcare providers) how to recognize and respond to life-threatening bleeding emergencies.

The program was developed after the tragic Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012, created by the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Their shared goal: to empower bystanders to take action and save lives before emergency responders arrive.

The need for this training is real. Each year in the U.S., around 60,000 people die from blood loss, and experts estimate that about half of those lives could have been saved if someone nearby had known what to do. Many of these cases happen in car accidents, workplace injuries, natural disasters, falls and shootings. About 35% of prehospital deaths are caused by uncontrolled bleeding, and here’s the scary part: a person can bleed out in as little as five minutes.

That’s where Stop the Bleed comes in. In this hands-on training, participants learn how to:

• Recognize life-threatening bleeding

• Apply direct pressure to a wound

• Properly use a tourniquet

• Pack a wound when a tourniquet isn’t an option

• Call 911 and provide helpful information

A few years ago, a Houston TV station reached out to me to teach Stop the Bleed to their employees after a sister station experienced a tragic workplace shooting. It was a powerful example of how this training can be life-saving, especially in today’s world.

And just recently, an Arizona schoolteacher found herself in a real-life emergency. On her way to work, she spotted someone lying in the street. A high school student had fallen from his e-bike and suffered a compound fracture; his thigh bone was visible and bleeding heavily. Thanks to the Stop the Bleed class she had taken, she knew exactly what to do. She stayed calm, applied pressure to the wound, and slowed the bleeding until paramedics arrived. They confirmed that her quick actions likely saved his life.

The truth is, these kinds of situations can happen anytime, anywhere. And being prepared can make all the difference.

If you'd like to learn more about Stop the Bleed or schedule a training, I’d love to hear from you! Just fill out this inquiry form, and I'll get back with you soon to schedule a time to talk about training options.