GBCS MERT Trained to "Stop the Bleed"

“Stop the Bleed” is a life-saving campaign initiated by the National Security Council Staff and endorsed by the American College of Surgeons. Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma. Originally in response to the tragic Sandy Hook school shooting, proponents of the program are quick to point out that the life-saving techniques to stop bleeding extend far beyond a mass casualty incident.

Trauma Program Coordinator, Zachary Landers, RN, BSN from Ascension Genesys is leading the training for school staff. The course teaches proper use of the tourniquet and steps to take when there is uncontrolled bleeding. The steps to respond are easily remembered as “A – B – C”:

• A: ALERT – Call 911 or have someone call 911
• B: BLEEDING – Find the source of the bleeding
• C: COMPRESS – Apply direct pressure, apply a tourniquet, or pack the wound and apply pressure

Landers used a recent example in which a young child sustained a broken arm on the playground at another school, so severe that the bone had broken through the skin and caused uncontrolled bleeding. These are accidents ER professionals around the country see every day that require the use of these methods to stop life-threatening bleeding, and the sooner they can be administered, the better, according to Landers.

  

Training attendees are required to demonstrate the tourniquet on a wound care trainer. The program also stresses that it is important to ensure your own safety when responding to someone in distress and to use gloves if available. Staff members who attend the training receive a certificate of completion from the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma, for successful completion of “Bleeding Control Basic v. 1.0 Course”.

Each building at Grand Blanc Schools has a Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) trained to respond to medical emergencies. Those team members are selected to provide a consistent presence of MERT members, but the commitment is voluntary. Maintenance and security staff members, that might encounter physically dangerous situations more often and are onsite after school hours, are also included in the training sessions. Dining service and transportation are also planning sessions.

GBCS MERT members are trained at the GISD and have regular response drills and have also been trained in CPR and AEDs, which are installed and maintained at all GBCS buildings. A trauma first aid kit, thanks to Landers and the “Stop the Bleed” program, will now accompany each AED. Funding grants completely cover the cost of the training and the trauma kits. The kits contain a tourniquet, vinyl gloves, scissors to cut clothing, and gauze for wound packing.

This first training day brought in dozens of staff, including Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Trevor Alward, and principals; Jamie Wagner (Reid), Jeremy Mitchell (Indian Hill) and Amber Hall (Perry Innovation Director). The training is ongoing, and several dates are scheduled in the near future. J.P. Adams, Operations Director, was present as well and is working with District Nurse Consultant Rachel O’Mara RN, BSN to coordinate training and place trauma kits. Students from the Career & Technical Education Medical Occupations program recently took the course from Landers, as well. Nurses Tina and Sherry from Ascension Genesys assisted with this training.

Landers says everyone would benefit from purchasing and carrying a pair of gloves and a tourniquet in their vehicle, in case of a traffic accident or other uncontrolled bleeding situation. Pressure application can be attempted with just a clean cloth and/or your hands if necessary.

The steps taken by non-medical staff before first responders arrive could save a life. The administration at Grand Blanc Schools is proud of MERT members and staff for taking this extra step to prepare for emergency medical events.