North Hawaii Community Hospital offers free ‘Stop the Bleed’ class

Accidents can happen anywhere.

Knowing the simple steps to control bleeding can save a life.

North Hawaii Community Hospital’s Trauma Team is offering a free class from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, in the Waimea hospital’s Mauna Kea-Mauna Loa conference room to teach three simple life-saving steps during National “Stop the Bleed” Month.

Studies have shown that the help given by an immediate responder can often make the difference between life and death, even before professional rescuers arrive.

The “Stop the Bleed” class will include a formal presentation as well as hands-on practice of direct pressure, wound packing and use of a tourniquet. The course was developed for a nonmedical audience to address the needs of the immediate responder to control life-threatening bleeding until help arrives.

There is no fee to attend, but space is limited; advanced registration is required.

Anyone who completes the course will receive a certificate of completion as well as a bleeding control kit.

To register, email Nick Vandenraadt, NHCH trauma coordinator, at Nvandenraadt@queens.org.

The “Stop the Bleed” campaign was initiated in 2015 by a federal interagency work group convened by the National Security Council. The purpose of the campaign is to build national resilience by encouraging bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.