what is stop the bleed?

Did you know the average ambulance response time in the U.S. is over 8 minutes — but a person with a severe bleed can die in under 3?”

In a life-threatening emergency, every second counts. The Stop the Bleed class teaches unarmed civilians how to control severe bleeding and save lives before professional help arrives. This is the same national initiative taught to police officers, teachers, and first responders — now simplified and tailored for everyday people.

Stop the Bleed is a hands-on national training program developed by the American College of Surgeons and supported by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It empowers ordinary citizens to become the first line of defense in trauma situations by learning how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and apply simple, proven techniques to stop it.

Why It Matters

Uncontrolled bleeding is the #1 preventable cause of death after trauma. Whether it’s a car accident, workplace injury, school incident, or natural disaster — knowing how to act in those first few minutes can make the difference between life and death.

This course gives you the confidence and practical skills to save a life with your own two hands.

What You’ll Learn

• How to identify life-threatening bleeding

• Proper use of tourniquets and wound-packing techniques

• Direct pressure methods and improvised solutions

• Safety awareness and how to keep yourself calm and effective under stress

• How to communicate with dispatchers and first responders

• Step-by-step response for different environments (home, work, public settings)

• medical equipment recommendations

Real-World Scenarios Covered

• Serious car crash while waiting for EMS

• Industrial or workshop accident involving heavy bleeding

• School or workplace injury before help arrives

• Active threat or mass casualty event where immediate medical action is needed

• Outdoor or recreational injury (hunting, hiking, range, construction site, etc.)

Course Format & Duration

• Length: 1.5–2 hours

• Format: Classroom and hands-on practice with training tourniquets and wound simulators

• Audience: Unarmed civilians — teachers, parents, employees, students, community members

• Certification: Participants receive a Stop the Bleed completion certificate recognized nationally

Why Take This Class

• No medical background required — anyone can learn

• Skills apply to everyday emergencies, not just major incidents

• Builds personal confidence and community resilience

• Complements CPR and first aid training — but focuses on trauma care in the first critical minutes

Be the help until help arrives.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or bystander — Stop the Bleed gives you the skills to take control in the moments that matter most.