AISD nurses prepare for trauma emergencies with Stop the Bleed program

Following mass shootings in Texas and across the nation, Austin ISD is preparing their nurses for the worst.

The district participated in the Stop the Bleed program Friday that teaches bystanders how to respond in a medical emergency.

AISD nurse Patricia Adams said the response to the tragic Santa Fe shooting stuck with her. Ten people, both students and teachers, were killed in May 2018. In the exact same month, a person entered the AISD campus with a gun.

"They ended up shooting themselves, no students or staff were injured but we were on lock down for about three hours and it gives you time to think, what would I do? What should I do," said Adams. “We know that schools have become somewhat of a high risk place for these mass casualty instances, so we want our team to know what to do if something were to happen."

The Stop the Bleed program was initiated by The White House in response to the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. STB teaches steps known as the ABC’s:

  • A-      Alert call 911
  • B-      Identify the bleeding area.
  • C-     Compression, apply pressure using your own weight or a tourniquet.

Claire Zagorski founded the Longhorn Stop the Bleed program after a friend of hers was stabbed to death on campus.

"I spent the next day crying and being so broken. I was like, I’m a paramedic I know what to do, why wasn't I there,” Zagorski said. "Then I paused and I said I have two options I can either be mad or I can teach people how to do this so it doesn't happen again."

ATCEMS was present observing and assisting the medical professionals. Commander Keith Noble said the Stop the Bleed program should go hand in hand with CPR, everyone should know it.

"Somebody can bleed out before EMS arrives or the fire department arrives, and we need people willing to step up and help someone in need of help with a massive hemorrhage,” Noble said. “It only takes two minutes for someone to bleed out.” 

According to Stop the Bleed, 40 percent of trauma-related deaths are preventable, if people have the right equipment and knowledge anyone can help save a life.

The program is free and available for anyone who is interested. For more information, visit the program's website.