If Disaster Strikes – Do You Know How to Help?
Do You Know What To Do?
Very interesting fact: There was a telephone poll taken in November 2015 where people were asked if they would be interested in taking a class to learn how to stop or control bleeding from an injury. More than four out of five people said that they would be interested. These results were all published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Further breaking down that group; almost half had already had first aid training, 13% had trained in the past two years and 52% said they had trained in the last five years. As far as ages surveyed: Those aged 50-64 of that group 57% had first aid training and the group that was 18-29 only 37% had first aid training. Those with first aid training; 72% stated that their first aid training included how to control severe bleeding.
Would You Help?
In a real life situation, if there were a mass shooting what did the respondents say? 75% of the respondents said that they would try to give first aid, if it were safe to act. 16% said that they would stay to see what happened and 8% said that they would leave the area. If the area was safe 62% of the respondents said they would be very likely and 32% said that they would be somewhat likely to stop bleeding in someone they didn’t know.
What Would Be Your Concerns?
Heaven forbid there is a mass shooting in your area, but what are the general concerns about providing first aid to a person that you do not know? 65% were concerned about causing additional pain or injury; 61% were worried about the risk of catching a disease; 61% were concerned about a bad outcome; 43% were concerned about personal safety and 30% do not like the sight of blood.
How Can We Be Better Prepared in Emergency Situations?
A mass shooting or traumatic event can happen anywhere and be totally unexpected. Of the respondents that were surveyed, 82% said that they would be either interested or somewhat interested in taking a 2-hour bleeding course. The surveyed also showed support for placing bleeding control kits in public places. These kits could include items such as gloves, tourniquets, compression dressings and more. If you are interested in a quick refresher on how to apply first aid for external bleeding review this article by MedlinePlus.