A Real Need to STOP THE BLEED®

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) Trauma Program wants to support the community to be better prepared for traumatic events through awareness, education and bleeding management training.

TBRHSC Trauma Program Regional Injury Prevention Leads have specialized training as instructors in STOP THE BLEED®, a course that teaches how to stop bleeding in a severely injured person. Only certified health care providers can instruct a STOP THE BLEED® Course. The TBRHSC Trauma Program wants to enhance public awareness for this life-saving program that is available to all residents of Northwestern Ontario.

STOP THE BLEED® is an initiative of the American College of Surgeons and the Hartford Consensus, prompted by the tragic mass shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. The goal is to provide civilian bystanders the skills and basic tools required to stop uncontrolled bleeding in an emergency. Similar to how the general public learns and performs CPR, in the STOP THE BLEED® course, individuals learn proper bleeding control techniques, including how to use their hands to apply direct pressure, how to properly apply dressings or packings, and most importantly, the proper use of tourniquets.

STOP THE BLEED® is a 90-minute course that includes hands-on training with mannequins, packing and tourniquets. Participants complete a short quiz following the program to receive a Certificate of Completion.

TBRHSC Trauma Program offers STOP THE BLEED® ​training to the general public, local businesses, and any people that work in public areas or venues that may be a first person on scene until a first responder arrives (e.g. security, event staff, and vendors).

Some local businesses that invested in STOP THE BLEED® for their staff are Resolute Mill, Richardson Elevator, and The Motorcycle Safety Training Organization (MSTO).

Robbin Lavoie, Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) and Superintendent of Health, Safety and Training at Resolute Mill said, “Stop the bleed is the most practical and effective hands on life saving training that you will ever take!”

Greg Stein, President and Chief Instructor of MSTO Northwestern Ontario commented, “As an avid motorcyclist/instructor, I would recommend the STOP THE BLEED® course to all motorcyclists. The training is clear, concise, well presented and the equipment is easy to use. ATGATT – All the Gear All the Time and carry a first aid kit with tourniquets. Not only can you STOP THE BLEED®, you can save a life.”

Upcoming STOP THE BLEED® course dates in 2022:

July 21, 2022
August 18, 2022
September 15, 2022
October 27, 2022
November 24, 2022
December 8, 2022

For more information or to enroll in an upcoming STOP THE BLEED® program, please visit tbrhsctraumaprogram.ca/ or call (807) 684-7951.