WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (November 26, 2018) — The American Red Cross has launched a new First Aid for Severe Bleeding course so people can learn what to do until emergency help arrives.
“Severe blood loss is a life-threatening condition,” said Grace Meinhofer, Regional Communications and Marketing Director for the South Florida Region. “This course empowers people with the knowledge and skills needed to provide immediate care and save a life.”
The 30-minute online course contains content on how to recognize and care for life-threatening bleeding, including:
People can register for the course at https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/severebleeding.
Bleeding Control Kits
In addition to the course, having bleeding control kits available is also recommended. The kits have the supplies needed to help control life-threatening bleeding and prevent further blood loss from someone with a traumatic injury. Personal kits contain tourniquets, gauze, trauma shears and nitrile gloves. The professional kits also include a hemostatic agent.
Bleeding control kits are available at https://www.redcross.org/store/first-aid-supplies/bleeding-control.
Stop the Bleed
The course and the bleeding control kits are designed to help save lives. They also support the educational goals of the national Stop the Bleed campaign, which encourages bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.
Other Training Offerings
The Red Cross recommends that everyone have the knowledge and skills to help in an emergency and save lives. A variety of First Aid and CPR/AED online, blended (online content and an in-person skills session) and classroom offerings are available at redcross.org/takeaclass. Offerings include the recently released First Aid for Opioid Overdoses online course on how to identify the signs and symptoms of a suspected overdose and the appropriate care to provide based on the responsiveness of the person.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.
###