Knowing how to control bleeding from a serious injury is important for everyone. May is National Stop the Bleed Month and May 22 is National Stop the Bleed Day. Life-threatening bleeding can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Knowing how to control bleeding can make the difference between life and death for you or a loved one.

A medical background isn't necessary to learn the basics of bleeding control. Education focuses on recognizing and responding to life-threatening bleeding with simple actions like applying pressure, packing wounds and using a tourniquet until professional help arrives.

The acronym, ABC, are the steps of bleeding control.

A = Alert 911 – Call 9-1-1

B = Bleeding assessment – find the bleeding injury

C = Control the bleeding – compress – apply pressure to stop the bleeding

Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma. The greater the number of people who know how to control bleeding in an injured patient, the greater the chances of surviving that injury.

It is important for the public to learn proper bleeding control techniques to respond to a bleeding emergency. The good news is that anyone at the scene can act as an immediate responder and save lives if they know what to do. We hope you will never need to use this information, but if you do, at least you will have the assurance of knowing how to stop bleeding until medical help arrives.

Locally, The Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Company is hosting several Stop the Bleed trainings this month if you are interested in learning Stop the Bleed.

Become a volunteer to learn more about the many life-saving trainings available to you.