What’s Realistically Going to Happen in a School or Workplace Shooting // Why You Must Have a Bleeding Control Kit
Realistically, if there is a shooting at your workplace or school, no one is going to be on hand to help you with bleeding control in the amount of time needed to save a human life.
You Are the Help Until the Help Arrives
I know that my school is less than two miles from the police department and the fire department, and I know that if there was an incident, as soon as the alarms are rung, the cavalry will mount up and come running. They will be at my school in about one minute. That does not mean they will be at my side assisting.
Reading “Columbine,” I was astounded as how fast officers will mobilize, how quickly command centers will be established, how far-reaching the community web of communication – and miscommunication – will be.
And my worst fears were confirmed; at Columbine, people bled out over four hours before responders could get to their sides. It was too late. Even when EMT’s finally reached living people, it was too late, and they died.
Further Than You Think
The one place I feel I am closest to help, in my classroom, only a few miles from a hospital; I am the furthest from help. I might as well be on an island in a huge ocean.
Help is geographically close to my school, but it’s a long time away. Let that sink in. You might be right next door to a hospital, but those emergency medical technicians probably are not coming to you as quickly as they can reach someone 10 miles out of town in a car accident.
Because in an active shooting event; they can’t get to you.
Reading through what actually happens, once the officers arrive, there still will be – at the least – a several minute delay before the unarmed medics are able to enter the building.
That delay in time puts the only chance to save lives in the hands of anyone who is already inside the building. Once the medics arrive; it might be too late for the more serious injuries.
Once again, you are the help until the help comes. Consider that.
You Need Supplies and Training
There is no substitute for having the right equipment within a couple feet of you. A large bleeding control kit somewhere else in your office building or somewhere else on campus will not help you.
You need one by your side.
Having the training already ingrained will serve you well in all aspects of your life. Wherever you go, that training goes with you. Hopefully you will never, ever need the training.
However, in the event you do need it – you will have it. If you get it.
Training from Crisis Medicine
I would highly recommend seeking bleeding control training.
One excellent, convenient way is online. Crisis Medicine has excellent training. My diving/cycling/shooting partner Bill gifted me with an in-depth bleeding control course late last year.
He had taken the course, and found it so thorough and comprehensive that he was eager for me to receive the training as well. I’m a high school teacher, a boat captain, and a cyclist – I’m around a lot of people every day.
The precise attention to detail, demonstrations, and reasoning behind every item of equipment and training method is thoroughly explained by Dr. Shertz with Crisis Medicine. He says the first time you see blood shouldn’t be when you have a loved one or student in front of you.
You are welcome to use my link above and my code “DeepWH” for 20% off the Tactical Casualty Care TC2 online course.
Other sources for training will be covered in an upcoming article.
Quality Supplies
Recently I published Finding a Good Bleeding Control Kit for Your Office or Classroom. It’s a comprehensive list of sources for bleeding control kits. Also, I update the article whenever I find an additional reputable source.
Supplies from Bleeding Control, through their Stop the Bleed Program are featured, as well as TacMedSolutions‘ pocket kit.
North American Rescue, NAR, has several varieties of bleeding control kits, and SOS Survival Products markets the North American Rescue Public Access Bleeding Control Kit for under $50.
First Care Provider has announced they will donate a CARE kit to a classroom for every CARE kit purchased.
Supplies From MyMedic
I’m a Brand Ambassador for MyMedic because I like their affordable, quality products. Their bags are reasonably-sized, and the supplies inside are of good quality.
Many of the items in our first vehicle kit came from MyMedic. This link and using my code “KimW” will save you 10%: MyMedic I earn a small percentage of your purchases that I can use for stocking my own kits, but your price does not increase.
Using my links helps me continue to bring free content to you and increase the number of supplies in my own CFAK. I usually add a few more items to my bag every couple paydays, so thank you in advance for your care for your own students and co-workers’ safety.
Links to What’s In My Bag
In the article, What’s In My Classroom Bleeding Control Kit // Prepared High School Teacher, there is a list of every item that is in my bag by my side every day. Also, for many items, there is the story of why I made certain choices and declined others.
These are links to my CFAK bag and its contents – if you click on my link through to a retailer and purchase something, I may receive a very small amount or percentage of your purchase. This does not add any additional cost to you, the customer.
Using my links helps me continue to bring free content to you, and increase the number of supplies in my own CFAK. I usually add a few more items to my bag every couple paydays, so thank you in advance for your care for your own students and co-workers’ safety.
Prima Care Emergency Foil Mylar Thermal Blanket 10 pk
NexSkin Cotton Elastic Bandages w/Hook Loop Closure, 3″ Width – 1, 2, 3 6 Pack
North American Rescue 2 Pack Cat Tourniquet
North American Rescue CAT Tourniquet
North American Rescue Hyfin Vent Chest Seal, 2 pack
North American Rescue Hyfin Vent Chest Seal, 4 pack
QuickClot Advanced Clotting Gauze with Kaolin
What to Read Next: What I’m Reading to Prepare for Active Shooter Response Training // Bleeding Control
