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A Message to Our Community: Our Commitment to Safety

 

At Worth County R-3, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priority. To enhance our preparedness for medical emergencies, our district has adopted new protocols in response to Missouri bill SB 68 and the Stop the Bleed awareness campaign. This proactive measure equips our schools with the resources and training necessary to respond effectively to severe bleeding injuries.
 

Understanding the "Stop the Bleed" Initiative

Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death from trauma. In emergency situations, it can take several minutes for first responders to arrive. The "Stop the Bleed" program empowers bystanders to act as immediate first responders, providing life-saving care in those critical moments. By training our staff and equipping our schools, we are building a safer environment for everyone.
 

What This Means for Our School

To comply with the new state mandate, we've implemented the following measures:

• Bleeding Control Kits: We have placed bleeding control kits in strategic, easily accessible locations throughout all our schools. These kits are stocked with essential supplies, including tourniquets, gauze, and gloves.

• Staff Training: Our staff will receive comprehensive training on how to use these kits and apply life-saving bleeding control techniques. The training focuses on three key actions: applying direct pressure to a wound, packing a wound with gauze or clothing, and applying a tourniquet when appropriate.

• Developed Protocols: We have developed clear protocols for responding to traumatic blood loss, ensuring a coordinated and swift response in an emergency.

We are proud to take these steps to strengthen our emergency response capabilities and provide a safer environment for our students and staff. We believe that empowering our school community with these skills can make a life-saving difference.

 

 

STOP THE BLEED EMERGENCY RESPONSE

If emergency treatment is not needed, bleeding can usually be stopped by applying steady, direct pressure and elevating the wound. The following steps will protect the skin wound and protect you from exposure to another person's blood.

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Before you try to stop the bleeding:

1. Wash your hands well with soap and water, if available.

2. Put on medical gloves, if available, before applying direct pressure to the wound. If gloves are not available, use many layers of clean cloth, plastic bags, or the cleanest material available between your hands and the wound.

3. Have the injured person hold direct pressure on the wound, if possible, and elevate the injured area.

4. Use your bare hands to apply direct pressure only as a last resort.

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To stop the bleeding:

1. Have the injured person lie down and elevate the site that is bleeding.

2. Remove any visible objects in the wound that are easy to remove. Control the bleeding before trying to clean the wound.

3. Remove or cut clothing from around the wound. Remove any jewelry from the general area of the wound so if the area swells, the jewelry will not affect blood flow.

4. Apply steady, direct pressure and elevate the area for a full 15 minutes. Use a clock—15 minutes can seem like a long time. Resist the urge to peek after a few minutes to see whether bleeding has stopped. If blood soaks through the cloth, apply another one without lifting the first. If there is an object in the wound, apply pressure around the object, not directly over it.

5. If moderate to severe bleeding has not slowed or stopped, continue direct pressure while getting help. Do not use a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Do all you can to keep the wound clean and avoid further injury to the area.

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Mild bleeding usually stops on its own or slows to an ooze or trickle after 15 minutes of pressure. It may ooze or trickle for up to 45 minutes.

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Occasionally a puncture wound causes bleeding underneath the skin, but only a small amount of blood comes out of the wound. When this happens, the area around the puncture wound may become swollen and bruised. If the bleeding causes blood to collect in the wound site (wound hematoma), the risk of an infection increases.

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While following the steps to stop the bleeding, watch for signs of shock in the injured person, including:

• Passing out (losing consciousness).

• Feeling very dizzy or light-headed, like the person may pass out.

• Feeling very weak or having trouble standing up.

• Being less alert. The person may suddenly be unable to respond to questions, or they may be confused, restless, or fearful.