Editor’s Note: Our fictional friends Jane and Zymir talk about bleeding safety on STOP THE BLEED® Day (May 22), part of National EMS Week and Trauma Awareness Month.

By Robert Ambrose

Jane: Just in. Red Cross offers training for bleeding emergencies.

Zymir: And? 

Jane: There are situations where people must take action to help another to stop bleeding. 

Zymir: They have app for that? 

Jane: Yes. iOS App, Google Play, or text “GETFIRST” to 90999. Name of that app is First Aid mobile app. First Aid mobile app gives you CPR techniques and nearest hospital. Red Cross has a program for training people to stop bleeding There’s a podcast for that, too.

Zymir: Really?  

Jane: There’s even a trainathon this month to encourage as many people as possible to get certified. Of course, there are ways to get training. 

Zymir: For example?  

Jane: A training video. 

Zymir: Sounds well-covered.  

Jane: STOP THE BLEED® is an official program of the US military.  

Zymir: STOP THE BLEED® eh?

Jane: Quizzes, instructor license and even serving as a STOP THE BLEED®  ambassador is on offer.

Zymir: Is there any money in play?  

Jane: A STOP THE BLEED®  grant is available for organizations who meet specific requirements.  

Zymir: Sounds like someone is doing a saint’s work. You know adults who are bleeding can die if they lose only the amount of half a soda can. You must apply pressure to the wound. 

Jane: That’s what we learn to take swift action. Use a tourniquet or a wound-stuffer, call 911 and reassure the bleeding victim that help is on the way. Also, stay with the bleeding person until EMS arrives. 

Zymir: Some bleeding people go into shock, right? 

Jane: Yes. Shock symptoms are pale cold skin, fast heart rate, rapid breathing and weird response times. 

Zymir: So now that I know how serious this situation is, what is the name of that course? 

Jane: Red Cross First Aid for Severe Trauma (FAST) course. The program is free for students under age 19.

Zymir: How many months are we talking?

Jane: Only minutes. 135 minutes.  By the way, traumatic bleeding is also covered in other Red Cross First Aid classes, like Until Help Arrives.