CITIZENS TRAIN IN TRAUMA CARE
St. Anthony Hospital trains citizens on trauma care
In the weeks since the mass shooting in Las Vegas, “Stop the Bleed” classes are training people to become first responders in case of an emergency, treating wounds and applying tourniquets.
Blood squirted across the table as Pat Pennington of Golden shoved two fingers deep into a gaping wound and packed it with gauze. The blood and injury were fake, but the intent behind the practice is very real: to save a life.
“What happened in Vegas,” Pennington said, explaining her decision to attend the “Stop the Bleed” class at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood.
“There’s so many things happening that are so scary in the world right now, and I have family members where we’ve had situations and needed information like this. I feel more prepared and more comfortable to help if the situation arises.”
In the weeks since the mass shooting in Las Vegas that claimed the lives of 58 people and injured nearly 500 more, the hospital has offered free, onehour classes teaching bystanders how to help “Stop the Bleed.” The latest set of classes ran all day Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Although the training is good for any emergency where someone is bleeding heavily, incidents like the Las Vegas shooting have made one thing very apparent: When the need for medical attention is widespread, first responders may be too late to help a victim.
“Vegas really hit home how many people could get injured in such a short period of time,” said Dr. Robert Madayag, trauma medical director at St. Anthony. “There’s not a city in the country that can respond to everyone that quickly.”
“Stop the Bleed,” a national program started after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, was initiated by the National Security Council Staff and the American College of Surgeons. The classes teach how to identify serious bleeding and stop it until professional medical help arrives.
“Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma,” said Robert Hayes, the injury prevention
Sign up to save lives
Bleeding Control (B-Con) Basics is a certified course, and attendees receive a certificate stating they are trained to administer help. The next training class will be offered at the Arvada Fire Department at 6 p.m. on Oct. 19. Call 720-321-0600 to register. Denver Health will also offer free classes from Oct. 23-27 from 5 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rita Bass Trauma EMS Education Institute at 190 W. 6th Ave. Preregistration is required online. specialist for St. Anthony. “Someone who is bleeding severely can die within five to 10 minutes, and the average first
response is seven minutes. That time could be much higher in a mass-casualty situation.”
The class includes a presentation to get attendees familiar with the proper course of action, the different ways to stop bleeding and the equipment provided in a trauma kit.
The most important part of the course is the hands-on demonstration. Latex is formed to look like a slab of skin and a large syringe is filled with synthetic blood, which is then pumped into the wound to simulate a severe bleed.
The class also trains the public on what to expect when the time comes to help someone in need, which is most likely the hardest part.
“It’s going to hurt the patient and they’re going to beg you to stop,” trauma nurse Laura Harwood said.
“You have to let them know; this is what it’s going to take to save your life. Most people are going to be really upset and scared, but the more you practice, the more likely you will be able to do it in a stressful situation. That’s why we want you here in person so you can actually practice and stick your hand in there.”
For some attendees, this was just their final step of preparedness.
“I am always prepared,” said Theresa Takamoto, who is CPR and First Aid certified. “They’re offering more classes, the equipment is easier than ever to use. Why not? The only thing I didn’t know how to do was tourniquet training. Now I do.”
“Someone who is bleeding severely can die within five to 10 minutes, and the average first response is seven minutes.”
Robert Hayes, injury prevention specialist