By Steve Hablewitz, ThedaStar Flight Paramedic
“Stop the Bleed” is a campaign that will provide the general public with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to control life-threatening bleeding. Sadly, this idea was conceived a few years ago in Florida to prevent death from exsanguination related to mass shooting and other mass casualty events.
The campaign now has partnered with the American College of Emergency Physicians, the White House National Security Council and U.S. Department of Defense, and continues to pick up momentum and support. The campaign’s purpose is to better prepare the public to help saves lives in the situation of life-threatening bleeding, not only for disasters but everyday emergencies as well.
The idea is to place these kits in the same locations as AEDs, such as in businesses, schools, airports and other public areas. These locations would provide for easy access and make them readily available for public use. The kits are stocked with bandages, gloves and, most importantly, tourniquets. Tourniquets have been proven beneficial to control life-threatening extremity bleeding. They are easily applied, control bleeding, and provide precious time for victims until they can receive definitive treatment at a hospital.
Keep your eyes and ears open for this campaign and see how you could make a difference in someone’s life should the need arise.
