People can die from severe blood loss in less than five minutes. May 22 is National STOP THE BLEED® Day – an annual day to raise awareness and engage the public, schools, workplaces and community organizations to participate in training on how to control bleeding from serious injuries.
To support the STOP THE BLEED® campaign, the American Red Cross offers three bleeding control courses to equip participants with skills to handle life-threatening bleeding emergencies until first responders arrive. Course participants learn to recognize a bleeding emergency and how to keep themselves safe. They also learn how to care for a person who is bleeding by using pressure, applying direct pressure and using a tourniquet if needed.
• First Aid for Severe Trauma® (FAST™): This is the first national STOP THE BLEED® course designed specifically for high school students under the age of 19 and offered to them at no cost.
• First Aid for Severe Bleeding: This online course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and teaches you the basics of taking action to stop the flow of blood.
• First Aid Skill Boost – Life Threatening Bleeding and Tourniquet Application: This course can be taught as a stand-alone for participants already certified in First Aid/CPR/AED or it can be added on to any First Aid/CPR/AED class.
A variety of Bleeding Control Kits are available to add to first aid kits and put in your backpack, office bag, purse and glove compartment. Be prepared and ready to help save a life when moments matter.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.
