Outreach Blog

A big part of Biomed senior year is our outreach, a presentation followed by a demonstration to a group or class of our choice. My chosen topic was STOP THE BLEED, a program developed by Homeland Security that teaches individuals how to control and stop traumatic bleeding. My chosen audience included the upper campus faculty, around sixteen teachers. As an ambassador for the program, my demonstration focused on essential training on three lifesaving techniques for controlling severe bleeding before professional medical help arrives. These techniques include applying direct pressure to a wound with hands, packing a wound with gauze or clean cloth, and correctly using a tourniquet. The program emphasizes the importance of quick action in emergencies where medical professionals may take 20 minutes or longer to arrive.

My presentation also highlights key statistics on mass casualty events, noting a threefold increase in active shooting incidents since 2008, with 50% occurring in businesses and 33% in schools. Additionally, over 50 domestic terrorist attacks have taken place since the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Given these risks, the outreach initiative aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to intervene effectively. The "ABCs of Bleeding Control” guide civilians to first Alert 911, then identify the Bleeding source, and finally Compress the wound. Techniques include applying firm, steady pressure for at least five minutes, packing wounds with gauze while pressing down as hard as possible, and using a tourniquet placed high and tight on an injured limb. This was meant to stress that safety is the top priority, helpers should only assist others if it is safe to do so.

When it came time for the actual demonstration, the official STOP THE BLEED training kit was my example. I first demonstrated applying pressure with just my hands, hands cupped slightly, and body angled to get the best leverage for maximum pressure. Then, I moved on to packing the wound, objectively the grossest, which involves taking gauze, or a clean cloth, and “packing” the wound. This means quickly pushing the gauze into the wound before applying pressure with your hands. Finally, and my personal favorite, applying the tourniquet. You can apply a tourniquet to bare skin or over clothing. Place the tourniquet high and tight on the extremity (arm or leg), near the armpit or groin. Pull the “tail" strap of the tourniquet tight and twist the windlass until the bleeding stops. Secure the windlass to keep the tourniquet tight and in place. After the demonstration, I called on Mrs. Katrina, the school’s secretary, to attempt using a tourniquet, and it went fairly well. Once the volunteer was finished my presentation came to an end, I handed out STOP THE BLEED flyers to the teachers and said my final words before leaving them for their faculty meeting.