by Catie Ballenger, American Red Cross
It’s important to recognize that the immediate actions taken by members of the public before first responders arrive on the scene give victims a better chance at recovering from life-threatening, serious injuries and cardiac emergencies. Today, we celebrate National Stop the Bleed Day, a day meant to increase public awareness and encourage people and organizations across the United States to get trained with life-saving skills so they can be ready to take action and stop everyday instances of life-threatening bleeding in their homes and communities.
Red Cross training courses – both online and in-person – are critically important because they teach life-saving skills that may be needed during incidents where uncontrolled bleeding is possible, like mass shootings or natural disasters, along with everyday accidents, whether on the playground, the freeway or in the kitchen. In many cases, death from blood loss is preventable. Properly trained, anyone can “Stop the Bleed” until professional help arrives.
Uncontrolled bleeding is a major cause of preventable deaths. Experts say it takes between:
3 – 5 minutes to die from blood loss.
7 – 10 minutes, on average, for EMS to arrive.
Red Cross training courses – both online and in-person – are critically important because they teach life-saving skills that may be needed during incidents where uncontrolled bleeding is possible, like mass shootings or natural disasters, along with everyday accidents, whether on the playground, the freeway or in the kitchen. In many cases, death from blood loss is preventable. Properly trained, anyone can “Stop the Bleed” until professional help arrives.
This EMS week, resolve to be the first to act in an emergency – it’s as easy as 1-2-3!
- The Red Cross offers a variety of First Aid and CPR/AED classes to fit your needs, from online to in-person.
- Purchase a bleeding control kit through the Red Cross store. The professional kits contain tourniquets, trauma shears, nitrile gloves and hemostatic dressings.
- Download the free Red Cross First Aid App that provide users with instant access to information on heart attacks, sudden cardiac arrest, performing Hands-Only CPR and other emergencies.
