Pioneer Tech, HOSA (Health Occupation Student Association) students in Brenda Bennett’s Health Career Certification class have adopted STOP THE BLEED as a project to develop and promote so that training can be made available locally, in high schools and in businesses. Pioneer Tech staff were recently trained at an in-service session. Some Kay County fire and EMS personnel are already on board.
The purpose of the program is to arm a person with the confidence and knowledge to act quickly in emergency bleeding situations. In a one hour presentation, participants are taught how to identify life-threatening bleeds and what first aid techniques (such as compression, dressings, packings and tourniquets) to use until first responders and emergency teams arrive. They are taught the technique on others, themselves and manikins if necessary, and they also learn how to safely use items you might have on hand or in your car, such as plastic grocery bags, clothing, lanyards and belts. The result saves lives and limbs. The training uses techniques from the military’s experience on the battlefield. It is approved by the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians and other groups.
“As emergency bleeding incidents increase in the U.S. (during mass shootings, bombings, car accidents, farm, work or weekend ATV accidents etc.) STOP THE BLEED would like to make responder training as commonplace and widespread as CPR or Heimlich is for everyone,” said Bennett.
The STOP THE BLEED program began after the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting where young students might have been saved from bleeding to death if people could have acted while police were focused on clearing the building. Kits and equipment for schools and businesses are available at Bleedingcontrol.org.
For more information on this initiative or on programs offered at Pioneer Tech, contact Brenda Bennett, Mia Sweetman, or Kelley McConnell at 580-762-8336.
Caption (STB_Kylie-Tourniquet.jpg): Kylie Sheets (Newkirk HS) demonstrates how to properly tighten a tourniquet during STOP THE BLEED training at Pioneer Tech. HOSA (Health Occupation Student Association) students in Brenda Bennett’s Health Career Certification class have adopted STOP THE BLEED as a project to develop and promote so that training can be made available locally, in high schools and in businesses. For more information about Pioneer Tech and its programs visit www.pioneertech.edu or call 580-762-8336.