Twenty-six lives were lost in the most recent mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Here in Central New York, The Upstate Trauma Center is taking extra steps to prepare the community for any tragedy with their new course called “Stop the Bleed.” After just an hour of this course, people can control life-threatening bleeding. Education Coordinator Jerry Morrison says the course is as easy as A-B-C.
"A is for alert, so it's calling 911. B is looking for life-threatening bleeding. C is compression with tourniquets, wound packing, and direct pressure."
The training is not just for mass shootings; it can be used in almost any trauma situation. So far, more than 200 people from all walks of life have received the training.
“Firefighters, paramedics, EMT's, grandmas, grandpas, school-age children, health care professionals, blue collar workers, we've seen the whole gamut.”
The course began as a White House initiative after the Sandy Hook shooting. Medical officials found that many could have been saved if only bystanders had taken the training. Injury Prevention Coordinator Kim Nasby says this is something people need to be thinking about.
"It brings to the forefront for the public at large the possibility of those events happening. Of course, no one ever thinks it will ever happen in their community. I'm sure the folks at the concert in Vegas never thought that something like that was going to happen, or the church in Texas recently."
Nasby says those with training are more likely to stay and help in trauma situations. Registration is available for individuals and groups here.
