North Collier Fire trains how to ‘stop the bleed’

As school shootings continue to make headlines, there is a new push to train teachers how to stop a child from bleeding out if they are injured by a gun shot.

North Collier Fire Rescue District is starting by training volunteers how to use “stop the bleed” kits.

“That we’re not naturally used to seeing, we need to be ready for that and anything else,” said Michael Jimenez, battalion chief of training for North Collier Fire.

It’s a skill set first responders said everyone should have in their back pockets, knowing how to stop someone from bleeding to death.

“We all think that it’s not going to happen, but if you ask everyone else where it did happen, they didn’t think it was going to happen to them,” Jimenez said.

Shooting after shooting, this is what it has come down to, to increase chances of survival, turning bystanders into field medics.

“It’s going to have to be part of the norm because there’s no way we’re going to stop it from happening because it’s nearly impossible, so you being ready for it is the next best thing you can do,” Jimenez said.

Using everyday things like a tie and a pencil to make a simple tourniquet, a sock or t-shirt to soak up the blood in the wound.

“We go through extensive training,” Jimenez said. “So were trying to portray that training to others, so they can be our extended hand before we show up.”

Next week, they’ll teach this to all principals in Collier County schools and eventually children.

“I don’t know what it says about or country,” said Joseph Rickard, a volunteer. “But I’m glad that there are people who are providing this training.”

Rickard took the training. Responders said a person can bleed out within one to two minutes, so having this skill can truly be the difference between life or death.

“Primary responsibility is to stop the bleeding and protect the life,” Rickard said. “So that’s the ultimate goal.”

The training is part of a growing movement. More than half a million people worldwide are trained.

With almost 40,000 instructors, first responders told WINK News “stop the bleed’ kits will start to be something we see as common as a first aid kit.