JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- March 31 is National “Stop the Bleed” Day. The JBER hospital is partnering with the local community to spread the word about a lifesaving program. Launched in 2015 by the United States White House, the “Stop the Bleed” campaign encourages bystanders to become trained in emergency response to bleeding, which can save lives.
“Stop the Bleed” was created in collaboration with law enforcement, the United States Federal Government, and the general medical community. A staggering statistic, presented by the “Stop the Bleed” website (2018) stated, “the top cause of preventable death in trauma is bleeding. 20% of people who have died from traumatic injuries could have survived with quick bleeding control.” We have learned fast bleeding control in the deployed setting, prior to medical personnel arrival, through the use of direct pressure and tourniquets, have increased survivability of limb wounds by 85% (Eastbridge et al., 2012). Due to increased frequency of mass shootings in our country and everyday accidents that occur, training as many people as possible in the “Stop the Bleed” program can save lives.
You at home, can save lives, with the knowledge this program can provide. Once this course is taken, the trainee can become a trainer by teaching others this gained lifesaving knowledge.
The first step to saving lives is getting people trained. The goal for the future is to see lifesaving bleeding control kits mounted in public places, similar to community automated external defibrillators (AEDs). In the Anchorage area, trainers are spread out sporadically. Currently, it may be difficult to find available classes on the “Stop the Bleed” website.
The greater number of people trained, the greater the chances of a person surviving from a traumatic injury. Civilian bystanders at a trauma scene can provide first aid before the arrival of emergency services. A trauma victim could die from a major arterial bleed in as little as five minutes.
Learning how to control bleeding is critically important and could save a life. To learn more about the “Stop the Bleed” campaign go to www.bleeding control.org or stopthebleedday.org The JBER hospital will have an informational booth set up in the hospital lobby on March 30 with staff to demonstrate bleeding control to help increase awareness of this innovative program.