PLEASANT HILL, Iowa (AP/Circa) - While the debate over arming teachers rages on, the reality of mass school shootings like the ones at Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook and, more recently, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has prompted some educators to arm themselves with knowledge.
Recently, teachers and administrators at Southeast Polk High School in central Iowa learned the basics of trauma medicine, namely, how to prevent a victim from bleeding out.
"Victims can quickly die from uncontrolled bleeding within five to 10 minutes."
BleedingControl.org
The training is part of a nationwide program called "Stop the Bleed," which was specifically designed to train the average American in basic bleeding control techniques.
"Massive bleeding from any cause, but particularly from an active shooter or explosive event where a response is delayed can result in death," BleedingControl.org explains on its website. "Victims can quickly die from uncontrolled bleeding within five to 10 minutes."
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These educators are arming themselves with trauma medicine techniques in case of an emergency
Charlie Neibergall/AP
In this March 28, 2018, photo, Dr. Richard Sidwell, left, instructs Madonna Coates on wound packing during a medical training session for teachers and staff at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. With school shootings a regular occurrence, educators across the country are learning techniques to help victims survive by stemming blood loss. A Connecticut doctor helped launch the effort, dubbed Stop the Bleed. The nonprofit program has spread to all 50 states, with more than 125,000 teachers, counselors and school administrators learning skills. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Charlie Neibergall/AP
In this March 28, 2018, photo, trauma care specialist Brian Feist and Dr. Richard Sidwell lead a medical training session for teachers and staff at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. With school shootings a regular occurrence, educators across the country are learning techniques to help victims survive by stemming blood loss. Feist and Sidwell are among those helping educators learn skills in medical training through a nonprofit program, dubbed Stop the Bleed. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Charlie Neibergall/AP
In this March 28, 2018, photo, Dr. Richard Sidwell leads a medical training session for teachers and staff at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. With school shootings a regular occurrence, educators across the country are learning techniques to help victims survive by stemming blood loss. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Charlie Neibergall/AP
In this March 28, 2018, photo, Dr. Richard Sidwell, right, talks with Mary Owens, center, and Samantha Wing during a medical training session for teachers and staff at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. With school shootings a regular occurrence, educators across the country are learning techniques to help victims survive by stemming blood loss. A Connecticut doctor helped launch the effort, dubbed Stop the Bleed. The nonprofit program has spread to all 50 states, with more than 125,000 teachers, counselors and school administrators learning skills. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Charlie Neibergall/AP
In this March 28, 2018, photo, Dr. Richard Sidwell, left, leads a medical training session for teachers and staff at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. With school shootings a regular occurrence, educators across the country are learning techniques to help victims survive by stemming blood loss. A Connecticut doctor helped launch the effort, dubbed Stop the Bleed. The nonprofit program has spread to all 50 states, with more than 125,000 teachers, counselors and school administrators learning skills. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Charlie Neibergall/AP
In this March 28, 2018, photo, Madonna Coates, center, listens during a medical training session for teachers and staff at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. With school shootings a regular occurrence, educators across the country are learning techniques to help victims survive by stemming blood loss. Coates is one of over 125,000 teachers, counselors and school administrators in the U.S., learning skills such as applying direct pressure, packing wounds and applying tourniquets. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Charlie Neibergall/AP
In this March 28, 2018, photo, trauma care specialist Brian Feist leads a medical training session for teachers and staff at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. With school shootings a regular occurrence, educators across the country are learning techniques to help victims survive by stemming blood loss. Feist is among those helping educators learn skills in medical training through a nonprofit program, dubbed Stop the Bleed. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Charlie Neibergall/AP
In this March 28, 2018, photo, Dr. Richard Sidwell leads a medical training session for teachers and staff at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. With school shootings a regular occurrence, educators across the country are learning techniques to help victims survive by stemming blood loss. Sidwell is among those helping educators learn skills in medical training through a nonprofit program, dubbed Stop the Bleed. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Charlie Neibergall/AP
In this March 28, 2018, photo, a sign hangs on a wall in the classroom during a medical training session for teachers and staff at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. With school shootings a regular occurrence, educators across the country are learning techniques to help victims survive by stemming blood loss. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Charlie Neibergall/AP
In this March 28, 2018, photo, a computer monitor displays instructions for wound packing during a medical training session for teachers and staff at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. With school shootings a regular occurrence, educators across the country are learning techniques to help victims survive by stemming blood loss.
Charlie Neibergall/AP
That's why these teachers are learning to do everything from packing a gunshot wound to applying a tourniquet.
"It helps them for more comfortable with the idea they could do something if they are the first one at the scene when someone's bleeding," said Dr. Rick Sidwell, a trauma surgeon with Iowa Methodist Hospital who helped trained the educators.
Bleeding Control Techniques
The "Stop the Bleed" program was developed by a Connecticut doctor who treated victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in 2012.
Now, about 125,000 people nationwide have been trained in these life-saving techniques.
"People that we have trained have been the first ones at the scene," Sidwell said. " [There's] no question that this is helpful." RELATED
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