You might save a child, loved one with free ‘Stop the Bleed’ training
Debi Tuggle said she hears stories every month where someone has used the “Stop the Bleed” technique, taught in one of her classes, and saved a life. Such an opportunity is coming to Town.
“It will be the best hour they ever spent,” said Tuggle, R.N., injury prevention/pediatric trauma coordinator at the University of Tennessee Medical Center who teaches Stop the Bleed classes.
“This class truly empowers and teaches citizens — anyone of any age and with no medical background — how to recognize and stop life-threatening bleeding because uncontrolled bleeding, and hemorrhage, is the No. 1 cause of preventable death in our society,” she added.
Town of Farragut is hosting a free Stop the Bleed training and certification class beginning at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 11, in Farragut Town Hall. Registration options are online at townoffarragut.org/register, in person at Town Hall or by calling 865-218-3375.
Last day to register is Monday, Dec. 10.
“We’ve had students as young as 7 and as old as 97 take the class,” said Tuggle, who will be assisted by her staff. “Anything from a general accident in the home to a motor vehicle collision to a mass shooting or a national disaster, you never know when you might be the person faced with helping someone in a time of need.
“This is one of those classes that once people take it, they walk away going, ‘Wow. I really feel like I could help somebody if they needed it,’” she added.
Students get an overview of what life-threatening bleeding looks like — emphasizing someone could bleed to death in three to five minutes if the danger is not recognized.
The second part of the class is hands-on direct wound packing, direct pressure and tourniquet application “because anyone can set a tourniquet,” Tuggle said. “It’s just a matter of practicing and being comfortable with one.”
