Stop the Bleed is a national training program that teaches everyday people how to control life-threatening bleeding in an emergency. Launched by the American College of Surgeons, the course takes about 90 minutes and covers three core skills: applying direct pressure, packing a wound, and using a tourniquet. The idea is simple: severe bleeding can kill someone in minutes, often before paramedics arrive, so bystanders who know what to do can bridge that gap.
How the Program Works
The course follows an ABC framework. “A” stands for Alert 911. Once you’ve confirmed the scene is safe and called for help, you move to “B,” which is bleeding assessment. That means locating the source of the bleeding, which sometimes requires moving clothing aside to find where blood is pooling. “C” is control the bleeding, using one of three techniques depending on the wound’s location and severity: direct pressure, wound packing, or a tourniquet.
Most courses run no longer than 90 minutes. They start with a short presentation, then move into hands-on practice using simulated wounds and real equipment. A virtual lecture option is available online, but you still need to complete the skills portion in person to receive a certificate. You can search for upcoming classes through the Stop the Bleed website’s course finder.
The curriculum was recently updated to its third version, with a greater emphasis on how blood flows through the body. The reasoning is that understanding the anatomy of bleeding helps people intervene more effectively, not just follow steps mechanically. The new slides are also more visual and less text-heavy, and the format is designed to be adapted for different communities.
Direct Pressure and Wound Packing
For many wounds, the simplest technique is the most effective: pressing firmly on the source of the bleeding. You place gauze over the wound and apply steady, direct pressure. This alone can slow or stop bleeding from many injuries.
Wound packing is used when the injury is in a location where a tourniquet won’t work, such as the groin, armpit, neck, or abdomen. The technique involves pushing gauze deeply into the wound, adding more gauze until the cavity is completely filled, and then maintaining firm pressure on top. Some kits include gauze treated with clotting agents that help blood coagulate faster, but regular clean gauze works too. Head wounds should not be packed.
The key with both techniques is sustained pressure. You don’t apply gauze and step away. You keep pressing until emergency medical services arrive.
How to Apply a Tourniquet
Tourniquets are used for severe bleeding from an arm or leg. The correct placement is two to three inches above the wound, between the injury and the heart. You should avoid placing a tourniquet directly on a joint or on top of the wound itself.
The process involves pulling the strap as tight as possible around the limb, then twisting the windlass rod until the bleeding stops or the rod can’t be twisted further. This is painful for the injured person, but the course teaches participants not to stop tightening because of that. A tourniquet that isn’t tight enough won’t control the bleeding.
One common concern people have is whether a tourniquet will cause someone to lose a limb. Modern evidence shows that tourniquets applied for the duration it typically takes emergency services to arrive are safe. The risk of not controlling the bleeding far outweighs the risk of the tourniquet itself.
What’s in a Bleeding Control Kit
Standard bleeding control kits are designed to be placed in public spaces the same way AEDs (automated defibrillators) are. A typical kit contains:
- Tourniquets: usually a Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) and a Stretch-Wrap-And-Tuck Tourniquet (SWAT-T), which accommodates different limb sizes
- Gauze: for direct pressure or wound packing
- Gloves: to protect against infection during contact with blood
- Trauma shears: for cutting away clothing to expose and access the wound
You’ll practice with all of these during the hands-on portion of the course. Familiarity with the equipment matters because fumbling with unfamiliar gear in a high-stress moment costs time.
Legal Protection for Bystanders
Every U.S. state and the District of Columbia has some form of Good Samaritan law, which provides legal protection to people who act in good faith to help someone who is injured. No state explicitly excludes bleeding control interventions from these protections. A study published in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine found that 44 states and D.C. protect both trained and untrained bystanders who attempt to control life-threatening bleeding. Six states had language that was unclear about whether untrained individuals would be covered, and Oklahoma was the only state that explicitly mentioned bleeding control techniques in its law.
In practical terms, if you act reasonably and in good faith during a bleeding emergency, you’re protected from ordinary negligence claims in the vast majority of the country.
Who Should Take the Course
The training was originally developed in response to mass casualty events, but the skills apply to any situation involving severe bleeding: car accidents, workplace injuries, falls, power tool accidents. Teachers, coaches, parents, office managers, and anyone who works in a public-facing role are natural candidates. Some school districts now offer it to high school students as part of outreach initiatives.
The course is free in most locations, taught by trained instructors who are often trauma surgeons, nurses, paramedics, or other medical professionals. No medical background is required to participate. The entire point is that these are skills anyone can learn in under two hours and carry for the rest of their life.