STOP THE BLEED^® Day

STOP THE BLEED^® Day is an annual day of awareness, education, and action dedicated to helping people learn how to recognize and respond to life-threatening bleeding. The goal is simple: empower everyone to take action and help save a life before professional help arrives.

What Is STOP THE BLEED^® Day?

Severe bleeding can become life-threatening within minutes. In an emergency, the actions of a nearby bystander can make a critical difference while emergency medical services are on the way. STOP THE BLEED^® training teaches people simple, lifesaving techniques to control severe bleeding, including applying direct pressure, packing a wound, and using a tourniquet when appropriate.

STOP THE BLEED^® Day brings together individuals, organizations, schools, healthcare professionals, first responders, and communities to build awareness and preparedness around bleeding emergencies. It is an opportunity for people across the country and around the world to learn these skills, share information, participate in educational activities, and help make their communities better prepared.

Why Is There a STOP THE BLEED^® Day?

The STOP THE BLEED^® community has grown steadily since the program launched in 2015. Every year, more instructors, organizations, schools, and public agencies take up bleeding control training and put it to work in their own communities.

STOP THE BLEED^® Day gives those individuals and organizations a single day to rally around the program. It is a chance to celebrate and recognize the work they already do, and to bring new people into the effort.

The History of STOP THE BLEED^® Day

The STOP THE BLEED^® program started with soldiers. In Iraq and Afghanistan, service members with no medical training were taught to control severe bleeding, and they proved that the training works when it counts. They brought that knowledge home, and the program exists to pass it on.

The first official National STOP THE BLEED^® Day took place in 2018. In 2019, it expanded to an international effort, reflecting the growth of the program from the United States to countries around the world. It is held each year during EMS Week.