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How to Stop Bleeding and Save a Life

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In the commotion immediately after the Las Vegas shooting that killed nearly 60 people on Sunday, medical workers outnumbered by victims pressed bystanders into service to help with emergency first aid.

Just as bystander CPR has become standard, public health agencies are working to increase awareness of bystander first aid. Because trauma victims often die of blood loss, rather than the injury itself, stopping the bleeding is the top priority.

Before help arrives, a bystander on the scene of a shooting or other trauma like a car crash or construction accident may be able to save someone’s life by applying direct pressure to a wound.

“I can’t tell…

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Resources

Stop the Bleed

Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and call-to-action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

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