Free Class Teaches Life-Saving Skills To Regular People
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - A free class in Fort Worth on Wednesday is teaching life-saving skills. Many people say that everybody should know what to do if a shooter were to take aim in a public setting. It certainly is a sign of the times, but it is now more important than ever.
The class is all about helping others, and learning how to jump into action when somebody else is bleeding and seconds count. Intervention is crucial. That is the message being conveyed in Wednesday's active shooter training -- designed to teach regular people how to react, not just first responders.
"I never know what I'm going to come across," said class participant Cynthia Cuellar. "I always want to be prepared, no matter where I am."
The event is part of a nationwide 'Stop the Bleed' campaign to empower average people to take action in emergency situations, because a person can die from blood loss in as little as three minutes if an artery is damaged. According to trauma specialists, a third of such deaths can potentially be prevented.
The program, led locally by JPS Health Network, teaches simple steps to keep an injured person alive until the trained rescue teams can arrive. A special public service announcement for 'Stop the Bleed' will also air Wednesday night after the CBS show "Code Black."
"We'll have hands-on practice with military-style tourniquets, with packing equipment. We'll learn to keep someone's airway open," explained outreach coordinator Mary Ann Contreras.
More than 200 people have already completed the free two-hour class in its first 30 days. Wednesday's event is taking place at the Marty Leonard Community Chapel, but it appears to be already full. Students are required to register online in advance for a spot in the class.
More classes are planned for next month. Click here to register for an upcoming session.
