CAUTION: SPOILERS
This series of blog posts was developed for the Fine Literature Book Club on Facebook. Crossing the Line was their April 2022 group read, and I was honored to lead the discussion.
Page 118
"The red stuff is supposed to stay inside the patient."
I must admit: most ambulance calls are not emergencies, and most do not require a rapid response or return time. But the fastest I ever responded to a call was for a massive hemorrhage. Seconds are life. Keeping blood inside the body is one of the highest priorities of first aid and emergency medicine.
With the rise of terrorism and mass shootings, many people are interested in learning about bleeding control and applying tourniquets. While those are good reasons to learn, bleeding can occur at many kinds of incidents and accidents, from car wrecks to a broken mirror at home. It’s very easy to learn how to help, and it can save a life.
The best program available to learn how to control bleeding and use a tourniquet is called “Stop the Bleed.” The class is barely an hour and a half long, and participants receive hands-on training. Because these courses are so effective, many times they are offered for FREE.
Find a course in your area, here: https://cms.bleedingcontrol.org/class/search
The main website for Stop the Bleed: https://www.stopthebleed.org/
Like CPR, this is a skill I hope you never have to use. But also like CPR, if you do use it, you are giving the gift of the opportunity for life.