Schools learning to “Stop the Bleed”

Recent school shootings have further opened awareness across the country and now government mandated training to ensure schools are prepared in case of an emergency have been implemented with House Bill 496 (HB-496).

HB-496 requires schools to complete “Stop the Bleed” training before Jan. 1, 2020. Bleeding control kits or stations are required to contain tourniquets, chest seals, compression bandages, bleeding control bandages, latex-free gloves, scissors, space emergency blankets and markers. It will be determined by school officials how many kits are needed, where they should be placed and how many tourniquets each kit should include.

Air Medical Supervisor for CHI St. Joseph Health, Billy Rice began training in Grimes county with a demonstration to Navasota Independent School District. “No one should bleed out and die from a gunshot wound to their arms or legs,” said Rice. “By properly applying a tourniquet and packing a wound, clotting can begin, and the bleeding can be stopped.”

Rice who was instrumental in having HB-496 passed, said having “Stop the Bleed” kits in place and properly training staff at schools for rapid response can help prevent loss of life in case of an emergency.

Staff were taught how to properly apply a tourniquet, stuff wounds and apply chest seals that ensure victims can breathe in case of wounds to the chest.

Navasota Police Lieutenant Michael Mize said the school is planning a training in the spring for students in high school. The training of students isn’t mandated by HB-496 but Mize said the training will be beneficial for students, so they are better prepared to help each other in the event of an emergency.

The kits aren’t in place at NISD schools yet according to superintendent Dr. Stu Musick, but he said there are funds available to purchase those kits and they will be on campus in the near future.

Mize said that Anderson-Shiro is scheduled to begin “Stop the Bleed” training Wednesday, Oct. 23.