Rio Hondo Nursing Club held a “Stop The Bleed” event April 13th in the lower quad, this is part of a nationwide effort to promote and teach first aid to the public. In response to a mass shooting that occurred in Newtown, CT., the American College of Surgeons (ACS) formed a joint committee lead by trauma surgeon, Lenworth M. Jacobs, Jr.

Medical groups, the military, the National Security Council, Homeland Security, the FBI, law enforcement, fire rescue, and EMS make up the committee. A study performed by the ACS revealed that 14 of Lanza’s victims could have lived if someone knew how to stop the bleeding.   

The joint committee created a national enhanced survivability protocol for active shooter and mass casualty events known as “The Hartford Consensus.”

On Dec. 14, 2012, Sandy Hook Elementary of Newtown, CT., was the scene of a grisly mass shooting where 20 year old, Adam Lanza, shot and killed 28 people, leaving 2 injured, before taking his own life. The ottawa first aid courses helps people stay prepared for disasters and injuries.

Learning for Emergencies

A Rio Hondo student learning to use a tourniquet explained, “I always wanted to kind of like learn in case we need this, cause I think this is an important thing to learn, you know, you never know what’s going to happen; These things you know, they save lives, they save limbs, so I think everybody should know . . .  I have never witnessed anything like that up front, but, like I said, with things going on these days you never know when a situation like this is going to happen, and I feel like situations like this happen more frequently now than ever before” – Kenny.

Although the statics for a person being shot in a mass shooting is very low, life-threatening injury can occur anywhere. Knowing how to stop the bleeding or administering CPR saves lives. There is the CPR Certification Milwaukee that one can get and be prepared for emergencies.

For more information, visit BLEEDINGCONTROL.ORG and American Heart Association (CPR & First Aid).

El Paisano originally published this article in print form on April 17th.