STOP THE BLEED: When Seconds Count to Save a Life!

By: Jana L. Davidson, Education Content Specialist for the Progressive Agriculture FoundationAn incident can happen in the blink of an eye. In many rural and farming communities, often the person next to a bleeding victim is deemed the one most likely to save their life. Minutes count, as someone who is severely injured and bleeding, can bleed to death in as little as 5 minutes.To help bring awareness to this important initiative, the month of May is recognized as National STOP THE BLEED® Month? This observance highlights the importance of STOP THE BLEED^® training and offers the public training courses in bleeding control techniques. That is why bleeding control and keeping the blood inside the body is so crucial! If an incident occurs, would you know what to do? If not, here are necessary actions to stop bleeding:

1. Apply pressure with hands and a clean cloth, tissue or piece of gauze.
2. Apply dressing and press. If the wound is on the arm or leg, raise limb above the heart, if possible, to help slow bleeding.
3. Apply a tourniquet for severe or life-threatening bleeding that does not stop with direct pressure.
4. Remember to always wash your hands and use gloves before and after administering first aid.
5. According to Healthline, seek immediate medical care if the wound is jagged, deep, or a puncture wound; is on the face; is the result of an animal bite; there is dirt that won’t come out after washing; or the bleeding will not stop after 15 to 20 minutes of first aid.
6. Preparation is key! Try to always have access to a first aid kit. Have a kit stored in the home, car, tractor, ATV or UTV, and barn. Also continually check and restock supplies as needed.

In 2019 alone, First Aid Safety reached nearly 42,000 participants at Progressive Agriculture Safety Days, while an additional 22,000 participants took part in First on the Scene hands-on activities and demonstrations. These activities are aimed at cultivating vital life-saving skills and techniques.  Progressive Agriculture Safety Days is recognized as the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America by providing the education, training and resources to aid local communities in conducting a one-day event. Designed to be hands-on, fun and safe for children ages 4 to 13, more than 1.8 million children and adults living on farms, ranches and rural communities have been impacted since 1995.For more information on Progressive Agriculture Safety Days or to locate an event near you, visit www.progressiveag.org or call 888-257-3529 (please note, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many events planned for the spring and summer have postponed or cancelled for 2020). You can also help send another child to a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day in 2020 with a modest donation of only $13. Donate by texting the word “SAFETYDAY” to 44321.Photo: At events, like this Progressive Agriculture Safety Day in Nebraska, participants learn about first aid and how the use of a tourniquet can stop bleeding and save a life.