Stop the Bleed

This is important.

Stop the Bleed (Video)

Please watch it. It only takes about five minutes and it could save someone's life, possibly your own.

Thank you.

https://www.dhs.gov/stopthebleed

Stop the Bleed

Launched in October of 2015 by the White House, Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and a call to action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

No matter how rapid the arrival of professional emergency responders, bystanders will always be first on the scene.  A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes, therefore it is important to quickly stop the blood loss. Those nearest to someone with life threatening injuries are best positioned to provide first care. According to a recent National Academies of Science study, trauma is the leading cause of death for Americans under age 46.

Remember to be aware of your surroundings and move yourself and the injured person to safety, if necessary.

Call 911

You may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately, here are three you can take to help save a life:

Where are we supposed to get the tourniquets? It is not something I routinely carry around with me. Seems like the infographic would be more applicable if they showed using a shoelace or belt or necktie or scarf or just about anything other than some sort of dedicated tourniquet that we don't have.

Thanks for this. I didn’t know. I usually see this sort of thing in the movies, and blow it off as “Hollywood”. 

In reply to T.J. :

If you watch the video (2 minute, 56 second mark), they tell you that you can improvise, though they use the manufactured ones for the demonstration. 

Anyone on this forum could fabricate a functional tourniquet in less than thirty seconds. 

Here's an example: Remove the patients socks, tie them together and wrap them around the injured limb. Tie another knot. Twist either knot until the bleeding stops. Hold tension on the knot until first responders arrive.

Simple actions can make a big difference.

I always carry wire on my work van. A belt when at church. And wear shoes everywhere else. So I’m covered on “turn in kits”

I am already all set. 

Have a belt that would work as a tourniquet on me most of the time, and a box of that quick clot stuff and some sterile gloves in the trunk of the car.

Thanks for the share. 

This is another one of those things that should be covered in a middle or high school class called Life Skills. It should cover everything from first aid, to how to feed yourself, to how to change a diaper. 

T.J. said:

Where are we supposed to get the tourniquets? It is not something I routinely carry around with me. Seems like the infographic would be more applicable if they showed using a shoelace or belt or necktie or scarf or just about anything other than some sort of dedicated tourniquet that we don't have.

CAT 7 Tourniquets can be purchased through Amazon or North American Rescue (who is the manufacturer.)  I carry one in my car in the center console so I can put it on myself if need be. After numerous years spent in Afghanistan I'm used to having one on hand as it's seriously an invaluable tool. But I also carry a medical bag/blowout kit in my trunk too so I guess I'm an outlier.

You really want the Gen 7 ones as there were a bunch of improvements done from lessons learned in combat environments.

Toebra said:

I am already all set. 

 

Have a belt that would work as a tourniquet on me most of the time, and a box of that quick clot stuff and some sterile gloves in the trunk of the car.

Remember Quick Clot, by itself, isn't designed to go into deep wounds like abdominal injuries. The bandages infused with it may but dumping a bag of the powder in there can cause a bunch of problems. Plus it hurts like hell when it activates.

Thanks for the video, it was interesting. 

In reply to The0retical :

Thanks for the info. Looking at them on Amazon right now.

In reply to Woody :

I obviously didn't watch the video and was just commenting on the info graphic.

Thanks for posting it though - it is a good reminder to think about first aid and being a responder.

a bleeding canoe?

Trackmouse said:

I always carry wire on my work van. A belt when at church. And wear shoes everywhere else. So I’m covered on “turn in kits”

Wire isn't really a good idea.  It'll cut into the skin and potentially do more damage.  Stick with the belt, socks, or something wider if possible.  In the end you gotta do what you gotta do, though.

Canoe got canoed in 23 minutes. Fascinating.

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

Canoe got canoed in 23 minutes. Fascinating.

I'm guessing it's the same person using 2 different accounts.

First aid and cpr training are almost free and are an amazing tool kit everyone should have.