May is STOP THE BLEED Month
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.
Off-duty hero saves young man in NSW shark attack
"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." - TacMed Australia
What?
Knowledge is vital, but the right gear can save precious time and support you in saving a life. Here at TacMed Australia, we believe that every Aussie should carry a basic bleeding control kit, designed for emergencies at worksites, road trips, a day at the beach, or just everyday life.
Our top pick to get you started is the TACMED BLEEDING CONTROL KIT - it's compact, filled with the basics you need to control major bleeding, and it's vacuum sealed to protect from the elements and ensure nothing goes missing. This kit is portable, affordable, and reliable, making it ideal for cars, surfboard bags, backpacks, office drawers or your kitchen cabinet.
To maximise its value, get familiar with the kit’s contents. Check out our YouTube tutorials on how to apply a tourniquet, wound packing using the OLAES Modular Trauma Bandage, and more.
How To Apply The SOF Tourniquet
"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." - TacMed Australia
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.
Learn More About TacMed Medic Level One (MLO)
"Combining tactical, austere, remote medicine and prolonged casualty care techniques into 5 days of practical education and scenarios for high risk and remote workers" - TacMed Australia
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.
And to stay updated, make sure you follow us on socials and sign up for our email newsletters.
ANZCOR GUIDELINE 9.1.1
ATACC GROUP: RTACC Manual
STOP THE BLEED FOUNDATION
WOUND PACKING: A Critical Skill for Bleeding Control
DEBUNKING TOURNIQUET MYTHS: What You Need to Know
"Whether you’re watching a video, buying a kit, enrolling in a course, or exploring online guides, every step you take brings you closer to being prepared when it matters most." - TacMed Australia
Take Action
Whatever you do, just do something: call Triple Zero (000) to get help on the way, apply firm pressure to stop major bleeding, use a tourniquet for severe limb injuries, comfort the person with calm, reassuring words, help them lie down, and keep them warm with a blanket or jacket.
While May might be STOP THE BLEED month, we believe that we need to get the word out about bleeding control every month! Help us on our mission by sharing this blog with your colleagues, friends and loved ones, and stay prepared.
"Our goal at TacMed is to keep evolving so we can give as many first responders and as many people the training, tools and confidence so that they can save another person's life. At the end of the day we want people every day to be able to go home for their families safe."
JEREMY HOLDER
Founder, TacMed Australia
Summary
Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death in trauma—and with the right knowledge and tools, anyone can learn to save a life. This Bleeding Control Resource Guide, released for STOP THE BLEED Month, empowers everyday Australians with simple, life-saving techniques like direct pressure, wound packing, and tourniquet application. You don’t need a medical background—just the confidence to act. TacMed’s compact Bleeding Control Kit, online resources, and in-person training options make it easy to prepare for emergencies at home, on the road, or in remote environments. Whether you’re a first responder or simply the first on scene, this guide will help you step up when it matters most.
FAQs
What is STOP THE BLEED Month?
STOP THE BLEED Month is a global awareness initiative held each May to educate the public on bleeding control techniques. It aims to empower everyday people to save lives by learning how to stop major bleeding in emergencies.
Do I need medical training to stop life-threatening bleeding?
No. Anyone can learn the basic techniques to control bleeding—direct pressure, wound packing, and applying a tourniquet. With minimal training, everyday Australians like parents, teachers, tradies, or surfers can become effective first responders in an emergency.
What’s in a basic bleeding control kit?
A bleeding control kit usually includes a commercial tourniquet, haemostatic gauze or standard gauze, pressure dressings, gloves, and trauma shears. These tools are compact, field-tested, and designed to control life-threatening haemorrhage quickly and effectively.
When should I carry a bleeding control kit?
Ideally, all the time. Emergencies can happen anywhere—at work, on a road trip, at the beach, or at home. A compact kit stored in your car, backpack, or drawer could make the difference in a critical moment.
Can I learn bleeding control online?
Yes. While hands-on training is ideal, TacMed offers curated videos and online resources that teach the fundamentals of bleeding control, including tourniquet use, wound packing, and pressure application techniques.
What is the Medic Level One (MLO) course?
The MLO is TacMed’s 5-day training program that teaches tactical and remote medicine skills for high-risk environments. It’s designed for both civilians and professionals, covering bleeding control, leadership, and prolonged casualty care techniques.
Related Products & Resources
- TacMed Bleeding Control Kit – Compact, vacuum-sealed kit for treating severe haemorrhage
- Tourniquets – Includes SOF-T, C-A-T, and other field-proven models
- Haemostatic Dressings – For wound packing in critical bleeds
- Online & In-Person Training – Learn bleeding control techniques at your own pace or on-site
- Medic Level One (MLO) – High-threat, remote medical training May 26–30 in West Footscray
References:
HARTFORD CONSENSUS COMPENDIUM SEPTEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 100 NUMBER 1S, Accessed 1/5/2025 - https://www.stopthebleed.org/media/0svpk45s/hartford_consensus_compendium.pdf
ANZCOR GUIDELINE 9.1.1 - First Aid for Management of Bleeding, Accessed 1/5/2025 - https://www.anzcor.org/home/first-aid-management-of-injuries/guideline-9-1-1-first-aid-for-management-of-bleeding/
STOP THE BLEED - American College of Surgeons. Accessed 1/5/2025 - https://www.stopthebleed.org/
