Students from 71st High School learn how to “Stop the Bleed” during visit to RCC
An accident happens. You call 911. What do you do while you wait for first responders to arrive? The first few minutes can prove to be critical in emergency situations, and that is what students from 71st High School in Cumberland County recently learned on a field trip to Robeson Community College.
During the visit, students acquired life-saving skills and even earned a certificate for participating in a “Stop the Bleed” course that taught techniques to help save a life.
“Patients have the greatest chance of survival with early treatment,” stated Brad Lawson, the EMS coordinator at RCC. “A severe bleed from an artery can cause death in as little as two minutes.”
To increase the realism of training, the EMS faculty demonstrated the use of high-fidelity simulation, giving students a glimpse into what it would be like to actually be like to be in a trauma situation.
In the course, students learned three quick techniques to help save a life before someone, as Lawson says, “bleeds out.”
One – applying pressure to a wound with their hands;
Two – packing a wound to control bleeding; and
Three – correctly applying a tourniquet.
“These techniques can empower anyone to assist in an emergency and potentially save a life,” Lawson said.
The students were also taught basic first-aid care and given the opportunity to tour the EMS facility at RCC, which included the mobile ambulance simulator. Students were taught about the differences between EMTs and Paramedics, how EMS systems operate, and how EMS education can be beneficial for students interested in pursuing other healthcare fields such as nursing or becoming a physician.
“Providing this education was about so much more than just drawing interest to the program for future students,” stated Lawson. “Everything the students learned can absolutely make a difference in life and death situations in an emergency.”
“The EMS Department is thankful for the opportunity to work with young people and help mentor them, regardless of their interest in EMS or not,” Lawson said. “We welcome anyone to reach out for this training for their schools or youth groups.”
If you would like more information on how you can bring this training to your school or organization, please send an email to the EMS department at rccems@robeson.edu. For more information on the EMS training programs available at Robeson Community College, please visit www.robeson.edu/ems.
