Stop the Bleed: Essential Skills to Save Lives During National Stop the Bleed Month
May is National Stop the Bleed Month. Did you know that uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma? Each year around 60,000 people in the U.S. lose their lives due to uncontrolled blood loss.
How does this happen? Well, uncontrolled bleeding significantly reduces the blood available for the heart to pump, affecting vital organ function. Losing just 20% of your blood supply can lead to hypovolemic shock, and a person can bleed to death in a mere 3-5 minutes.
To combat this, the Stop the Bleed initiative was launched by a consortium including the American College of Surgeons, the Committee on Trauma, the National Security Council, Homeland Security, the FBI, among others. This was particularly in response to the increasing frequency of active shooter incidents. Their recommendation is clear: everyone should learn how to manage life-threatening bleeding.
So, where could these skills come in handy? Pretty much anywhere:
At home
Schools
During motor vehicle accidents
Weather-related injuries
In the workplace
Incidents involving gun violence
The critical first steps are recognizing life-threatening bleeding and calling 911. Then, ensure you find the bleeding source. Remember, your safety comes first; if you're injured, you can't help anyone else. Only assist others when it is safe for you to do so.
What exactly counts as life-threatening bleeding? Look for:
Blood spurting from a wound
Blood that won’t stop flowing
Blood pooling on the ground (imagine it's more than half a can of soda)
Clothes soaked in blood
Saturated bandages
Loss of a limb
Bleeding in someone who is confused or unconscious
The recommended methods to stop the bleeding include applying pressure, packing the wound, or using a tourniquet. All these techniques focus on one key principle: compressing a blood vessel to stop the bleed.
Just this past year, I've had numerous requests to facilitate Stop the Bleed training sessions for various organizations, including a local TV station that tragically had a reporter fatally shot while covering a homicide. It’s crucial that we all understand how to respond to these emergencies.
This month, empower yourself with the knowledge and skills to save lives. Learn more free tips by following me on Instagram: @cprandsafetylady. Click below to email me about hosting a Stop the Bleed training session with you and your family, friends or colleagues.
Stay safe and healthy!
