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Stop the Bleed course (free)

You may be the very first responder. It’s critical that you know what to do to save a life. A person with a hemorrhaging wound can “bleed out”/die of exsanguination in three minutes.

Check in your community for a free Stop the Bleed course. You may find it online, but it’s better to take in person as you will practice packing a hemorrhaging wound on a realistic model. You will learn when and how to apply a tourniquet.

Also, I was able to get, for free, the basic first aid course for which the American Red Cross charges $100 by joining the county Medical Reserve Corps. About 40% of the volunteers are not medical personnel. Hopefully they will offer it again soon as covid restrictions are being loosened.

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