A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes. Emergency responders will arrive as quickly as possible, but bystanders are almost always there first. In the case of disaster and high casualty incidents, emergency services are often spread thin. Will you be ready?

The free 2.5 hour course teaches basic life-saving medical interventions, including methods to control bleeding and opening an airway to allow breathing. Taught by practicing trauma surgeons, the course was developed in response to the call from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Hartford Consensus to improve survival during active shooter and other mass casualty events. In these circumstances, survival begins with bystanders.

Upon completion, participants will be able to: 

• Understand the principles of your response during an active shooter event.
• Describe the progressive strategy for controlling hemorrhage.
• Demonstrate wound packing and learn about topical hemostatic dressings.
• Explain the rationale for early use of a tourniquet for life-threatening extremity bleeding.
• Demonstrate the appropriate application of a tourniquet to the arm and leg.
• Demonstrate basic maneuvers to relieve airway obstruction.