bleeding control ·
emergency preparedness ·
first aid ·
first responder ·
stop the bleed ·
tourniquet ·
wound packing ·
May is STOP THE BLEED Month
TACMED LEARNING CENTRE
MAY 6, 2025
STOP
THE
BLEED
your bleeding control
resource guide
May is STOP THE BLEED Month, so we thought there was no better time to create a bleeding control guide, so you can find all the best resources in one central location. If you've been following us for a while, you probably already know we are passionate about blood (and keeping it inside the body)—Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death in emergency situations, and a trauma patient can potentially lose their life in just 3–5 minutes with a severe haemorrhage. But, with the right knowledge and tools, we believe anyone can STOP THE BLEED!
Lets get started by answering these very important questions—Who, What, When, and How—to equip you with the confidence to save lives.
WHO?
No medical degree? No worries. Controlling catastrophic bleeding comes down to one basic principle—Pressure, not absorption. Life-threatening bleeding requires immediate pressure to stop the flow. Basic bleeding control training teaches three key techniques: applying direct pressure, packing the wound, and/or apply a tourniquet. These methods are simple enough for anyone to learn, making every Aussie—whether you are a parent, teacher, surfer, tradie, motorcyclist, student etc—a potential lifesaver.
"When tragedy strikes anywhere in this nation, the willingness and capability of everyday citizens to take action instead of being passive bystanders can mean the difference between life or death. With very little training and equipment, the individuals closest to the scene of an accident or mass casualty situation can control bleeding until first responders arrive to take over treatment." (Hartford Consensus Compendium)
Direct pressure is the first step. By pressing firmly on a wound with both hands, you can slow or stop bleeding by compressing the blood vessels. If the wound is noticeably deep and bleeding persists, packing the wound with gauze adds internal pressure to the bleeding source. For severe arterial bleeding on a limb, a tourniquet applied 5–10 cm above the wound can be a game-changer, stopping arterial bleeding in seconds. These techniques don’t require medical expertise, just basic first response knowledge and the confidence to act quickly.
WHO SHOULD LEARN?
Someone who is severely bleeding can bleed to death in as little as 5 minutes. That’s why bleeding control is an important skill for every single Aussie.
What?
WHAT GEAR DO I NEED?
Each item in the kit has been carefully selected and includes field-proven medical gear trusted by military personnel, law enforcement, and emergency responders worldwide.
When?
Well, we believe YESTERDAY was the best time to get prepared for bleeding emergencies, but right now is the second-best time. Without being alarmist, we all know that emergencies can strike anywhere and any time and it's so important for us all to have the basic knowledge and gear to be able to respond without hesitation.
TacMed is committed to helping first responders save lives, and by first responders we mean, anyone who is first on scene at an emergency. We offer world class public programs that cater to anyone with zero prior knowledge through to professional first responders.
Our upcoming May 26th-30th Medic Level One (MLO) in West Footscray is a transformational training course designed to equip individuals with the medical and leadership skills needed to operate confidently in high-threat, remote, and resource-limited environments. Whether you want to enhance your capability as a first responder, emergency services operator, or someone working in high-risk environments, this course will elevate your ability to save lives and support mission success. No prerequisites required, get enrolled today.
WHEN SHOULD I LEARN?
Combining tactical, austere, remote medicine and prolonged casualty care techniques into 5 days of practical education and scenarios for high risk and remote workers
How?
Can’t make an in-person training session? No dramas! There's a tonne of free resources for you to get the basics down. Below you'll find our curated list of online materials to help you learn bleeding control at your own pace. While nothing beats hands-on training, these tools are a perfect place to start.
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HOW SHOULD I PREPARE?