Training non-medical professional to stop a shooting or accident victim from bleeding out in the minutes before first responders arrive is a new class called Stop The Bleed.
The free class sponsored by New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID) is designed to counter uncontrolled bleeding, which is a leading cause of preventable death following such traumatic incidents.
“We encourage anyone to take this training and become certified because you can never be too prepared,” said Maureen O’Brien president and CEO at NYSID, a statewide network of 165 nonprofit rehabilitative agencies and private sector business partners.
While CPR has been around for many years, Stop the Bleed kits were created after the active shooter disaster at Sandy Hook Elementary School. A joint committee created a national policy to enhance survivability from mass shootings. One recommendation was to turn bystanders into immediate responders before first responders arrive at the scene. This step improves the survivability of victims with severe bleeding.
It can take as few as five minutes to bleed to death, but average response times from EMS personnel can range from seven to nine minutes. The training teaches bystanders how to use a kit or alternative devices to quickly bring bleeding under control.
Participants will receive Stop the Bleed kits assembled by people with disabilities. NYSID is collaborating with two Member Agencies on this project: AHRC Nassau is hosting the event and Arc Herkimer assembles the Stop the Bleed kits. Most Stop the Bleed kits include a tourniquet, a hemostatic dressing with Quick-Clot, a marker, gloves, and instructions.
“I hope people that attend our training will be inspired to save a life if they ever encounter an emergency bleeding situation,” said Amanda Aiello, RN, an American College of Surgeons certified Stop the Bleed trainer. “This training can be utilized in any emergency situation with life-threatening bleeding. This could happen at your home, after a car accident, in a severe weather incident, or any number of outdoor activities. It could also be a result of an unstable individual with dangerous impulses or a terrorist event.”
Stop the Bleed Training and Certification is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday August 21 at AHRC Nassau, 115 E. Bethpage Rd., Plainview. RSVP here
