When someone is bleeding – and I mean serious, uncontrolled bleeding – life is literally leaving their body. Though we often associate “bleeding out” with horrific events, it doesn’t take an active assailant (shooter, knife-wielder, bomber, etc.) event to cause death from bleeding.
Here’s a sobering fact: serious, uncontrolled bleeding can cause death in the average adult in 5 minutes or less. The average response time of emergency services in America is between 7 and 9 minutes…see where I’m going with this?
For years, emergency providers have pushed to have everyday citizens trained to provide CPR for cardiac arrest victims. With the advent of new research, it’s time to add bleeding control training to the mix.
This is where the Stop the Bleed® training program comes in. In about an hour, citizens learn to identify and take immediate action to stop life-threatening bleeding. The training can be applied to any serious bleeding situation, including intentional acts by others and accidents around the home and workplace.
National #StoptheBleed day is coming up fast; May 20th to be exact. While this is one day set aside to advocate and organize worldwide training, the truth is that these classes are offered year-round. I encourage you to contact your local ambulance service and ask about taking a class.
Now I know blood isn’t for everyone (the ability to sustain life notwithstanding). I’ve been known to blanch on occasion when presented with a truly grotesque injury. But let’s go back to the statistics above:
• Serious, uncontrolled bleeding can result in death in 5 minutes or less.
• Emergency response averages 7-9 minutes in the United States.
That means by the time emergency services reach the victim, they are statistically likely to be beyond help. These victims need help, fast. Be the help before help arrives.
Learn more by visiting stopthebleed.org
Disclosure time: I’m a Stop the Bleed® certified instructor and Ambassador, but I do not receive any compensation from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) or Department of Defense (DoD) as such. I may, however, receive compensation from an employer or client for providing various training services, including Stop the Bleed®.
As an emergency services provider for nearly 24 years, I truly believe in bystanders leading the way in giving immediate, lifesaving care. When it comes to true, life-threatening emergencies, bystanders serving as “immediate responders” can make a deadly situation survivable.
Jon David LeRoy 