Buzz
In traumatic incidents such as gunshot wounds, the leading cause of death is frequently excessive bleeding rather than the injury itself. To mark Stop the Bleed Day (March 31), numerous hospitals and educational institutions nationwide are offering complimentary courses on managing severe bleeding during emergencies. Find a session nearby, or continue reading to learn the fundamental techniques everyone should be aware of.
As outlined in the official Stop the Bleed guide, the initial step is to ensure your own safety (there’s no benefit in both parties being injured) before following these ABC principles:
Alert: Immediately call 911 or assign someone else to make the call.
Bleeding: Identify the source of the bleeding. You might need to cut or remove clothing—keep in mind, the individual would prefer being without clothes over losing their life.
Compress: Apply direct pressure to halt the bleeding.
If applying pressure to the wound doesn’t stop the bleeding, the situation becomes even more intense. For injuries on the head or neck, or for any wound when a tourniquet isn’t accessible, fill the wound with sterile gauze. If gauze isn’t available, using a clean cloth is better than doing nothing. It’s wise to have a bleeding control kit on hand to ensure you’re always prepared with the necessary supplies.
Should you possess a tourniquet, utilize it without hesitation. In the past, first-aid protocols discouraged the use of tourniquets, but practices have evolved. While tourniquets carry risks, such as potential limb loss if applied for an extended period, they are now deemed essential in life-threatening scenarios where uncontrolled bleeding could prove fatal.
