Stop the Bleed training is a nationally recognized initiative designed to strengthen the pre-hospital response to life-threatening hemorrhage. Developed in 2015 with federal backing, the campaign equips first responders — EMS, fire, law enforcement and other frontline personnel — with critical bleeding control techniques to manage trauma at the scene. As uncontrolled bleeding remains one of the top causes of preventable death in trauma cases, rapid intervention by trained personnel can significantly improve patient outcomes. Stop the Bleed enhances operational readiness by ensuring responders have both the knowledge and tools to stop severe bleeding before it becomes fatal.
What is Stop the Bleed Day?
Every year, the STOP THE BLEED® Project develops a variety of programs to accomplish its mission, starting with Stop the Bleed Day, now in its 10th year.
Stop the Bleed Day takes place each year during EMS Week. This year, Stop the Bleed Day is on May 22, 2025. Stop the Bleed Day is a day to bring awareness to bleeding control training and educate the public on how to stop the bleed.
The Project’s slate of programs includes:
- The STB Grant Program, which has awarded over $250,000 in equipment grants. The application period for both the grant and scholarship programs will open during the first week of April and will run until May 31, 2024.
- The Scholarship Program, available to high school and college students, which has awarded over $175,000 to date.
- The #raiseyourhand campaign, encouraging people across social media to share why they decided to raise their hand to get STOP THE BLEED® trained.
What equipment should be in a Stop the Bleed kit for first responders?
A properly stocked Stop the Bleed kit for first responders should include:
- Commercial tourniquets
- Hemostatic gauze
- Pressure dressings
- Chest seals (for penetrating chest trauma)
- Trauma shears
- Nitrile gloves
- Marker (to note tourniquet application time)
This gear allows immediate implementation of advanced bleeding control techniques during critical incidents before patient transport.
Why is Stop the Bleed important for first responders?
For first responders, controlling severe bleeding is often critical to saving lives in pre-hospital settings. Uncontrolled hemorrhage is a leading cause of preventable death in trauma situations. “Stop the Bleed” equips first responders with the necessary skills and knowledge to act quickly and effectively, potentially stabilizing patients until further medical treatment can be administered.
How does Stop the Bleed training enhance field response?
For EMS, fire and police, Stop the Bleed training provides tactical, evidence-based instruction in hemorrhage control that complements existing trauma protocols. It reinforces muscle memory for high-stress environments and ensures consistent application of tourniquets, wound packing, and pressure techniques. It also enhances interoperability during multi-agency response scenarios.
What are the primary techniques recommended by “Stop the Bleed”?
The campaign emphasizes three main techniques for bleeding control:
- Direct pressure. Applying pressure directly to the wound to stop bleeding.
- Wound packing. Filling the wound with a hemostatic dressing or clean cloth, then applying pressure to control bleeding.
- Tourniquets. Using a tourniquet to constrict blood flow to a limb in cases where direct pressure is not sufficient.
What training opportunities are available for “Stop the Bleed”?
Stop the Bleed training is widely accessible through various programs, often provided by hospitals, fire departments and community centers. These programs teach the techniques of bleeding control, and many are free or low-cost. Online resources and local health services can guide first responders to the nearest training sessions, further enhancing their capabilities in emergency scenarios.
How does Stop the Bleed integrate with other first aid practices?
Stop the Bleed techniques are designed to complement standard first aid practices, not replace them. These hemorrhage control techniques are critical in the initial moments of an emergency, functioning seamlessly alongside CPR, shock management and other first aid protocols. This integrated approach ensures a comprehensive response to a range of emergency health situations.
How is bleeding control integrated into trauma care protocols?
Bleeding control is a foundational step in trauma care, addressed in the MARCH algorithm (Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, Head injury/Hypothermia). Stop the Bleed reinforces this priority, emphasizing that hemorrhage control is often the first lifesaving intervention in tactical and civilian trauma response. Integrating Stop the Bleed into regular continuing education ensures alignment with TCCC and NAEMT trauma care standards.
Can Stop the Bleed training be used to meet continuing education requirements?
Yes. Many EMS agencies and fire departments integrate Stop the Bleed training into their in-service education programs. It often counts toward continuing education units (CEUs) when certified through accredited providers. Check with your local EMS authority or training coordinator for CE eligibility.
Learn more about Stop the Bleed
The “Stop the Bleed” campaign is an essential initiative for enhancing public and first responder readiness in emergencies involving severe bleeding. By educating individuals on effective hemorrhage control techniques and providing necessary tools and training, the campaign aims to save lives and mitigate the effects of traumatic injuries.
Visit the Stop the Bleed Resource Hub to access a variety of ways for you to learn more about how to Stop the Bleed.
This article, originally published in May 2024, has been updated with additional information. EMS1 uses generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.
