Training the public to save lives

The Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center trauma team has embraced a national initiative led by the American College of Surgeons, the Hartford Consensus and many other partners to train community members in bleeding control.

This effort centers around the idea that bystanders are almost always first on the scene and have the power to save lives by stopping life-threatening bleeding.

"Many wounds that occur as a result of motor vehicle crashes, construction site injuries, falls or home mishaps, along with gunshot and stab wounds have the potential to result in life-threatening bleeding," says Dr. Richard Fantus, a trauma surgeon and medical director of trauma services at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

Even if emergency responders are close, it's important to act fast. According to the Department of Homeland Security, it's possible for a person who is bleeding to die from blood loss within five minutes. You can 'Stop the Bleed' by locating the source of the bleeding and applying pressure, packing the wound, or applying a tourniquet if available.

"Areas amendable to direct pressure, packing or tourniquet use have a greater incidence of survival if active blood loss is stopped at the scene of the injury," says Dr. Fantus. "Oftentimes, especially in events with larger numbers of casualties or in remote areas, trained prehospital personnel are not readily available. Arming the population of the United States with these basic bleeding control skills will put the public as first responders at the scene of every injury."

The Illinois Masonic team has provided more in-depth training to approximately 100 individuals to date, with more on the horizon. They've even had the privilege of training Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and staff.
"We responded to an invitation to participate in a training and were excited to learn about how we might be able to help someone who is bleeding," says Leslie Combs, district director. "It's always good to get trained in things that can help save lives!"

To learn more about this initiative, visit www.bleedingcontrol.org.

"There is absolutely no question that stopping bleeding in these situations will save lives," says Dr. Fantus. "We are teaching the public to save lives."