FORT BRAGG, NC -- The Womack Army Medical Center Trauma Program is helping individuals obtain the skills needed for better outcomes when assisting those injured during tragedies with the Stop the Bleed course.
According to Trauma Medical Director Maj. (Dr.) Jason McCartt, hemorrhage is the number one cause of preventable death after trauma whether accidentally or intentionally.
“This training can provide immense benefits to the individuals we live and work with that may one day allow them to have the skill set to help another individual,” said McCartt.
The course taught on May 2, 3 and 11, by Jennifer Carney, WAMC trauma program manager, provided practical training and information on the ABCs of bleeding, emphasizing safety first:
A- Alert 911 (provide as much information as possible)
B - Bleeding (identify the bleeding)
C- Compress (apply pressure with hands)
“It’s important that this education gets out because the more people know how to do this, the more lives we can potentially save,” said Carney.
Students were taught the ABC s of bleeding before attempting the hands-on portion. They learned how to pack a wound with clean gauze or cloth and how to apply direct pressure with both hands to control bleeding. Following this portion, students were provided with information on the different types of tourniquets available and where and how to correctly apply one.
Both medical and non-medical individuals attended the course, some as a means of refresher and for others to ensure preparedness in an emergency.
“For me it’s more of a personal thing because I am prior service and so that’s a part of the Army mentality to always be prepared,” said Crystal Cory, psychology technician. I always like to be prepared because you never know when something is going to happen.”
Second year student Ronald Buryk attended the training to refresh his skills.
“I think it’s an important skill to have just like CPR, today’s training just reinforced what I knew from taking the class one year ago,” said Buryk.
Following the course, participants received a certificate from the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and a reminder from the WAMC Blood Donor Center Chief, Maj. William Ceballos about their continuous need for blood donors.
“When you and your family stop by the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center and participate in any of our blood drives, you are helping your family members, co-workers and anyone who is in our vicinity,” said Ceballos. You are also helping our service members around the world.”
To donate blood, make an appointment at https://www.militarydonor.com/ and find the Fort Bragg Blood Donor center by using the zip code 28310. For more information call the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center at 910-396-9925, located at 8- 4156 Souter Place, Fort Bragg NC 28307. Hours of operation are Monday to Thursday 7: 30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. and Fridays 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For more information on the Stop the Bleed course send an email to Usarmy.bragg.medcom-wamc.mbx.dcss-trauma-program@health.mil.
Social Sharing