“The only thing more tragic than a death from bleeding is a death that could be have been prevented,” says American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, which is why the Fayette County Public School System will celebrate National “Stop The Bleed” Day on March 31.

“Stop The Bleed” is a statewide initiative which offers a training session used to educate, equip, and empower bystanders to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

On this day, bleeding control instructors will educate others on the importance of “Stop The Bleed” training and conduct over 200 training sessions across the nation, which are all free of charge. Trainees will learn the basics of bleed control and how to properly use a tourniquet.

Fayette County was the first school system in Georgia to start the “Stop The Bleed” initiative.

All Fayette County school system nurses, principals, department heads, assistant superintendents, and school superintendent Dr. Joseph Barrow have received “Stop the Bleed” training from school health services coordinator Debbie King.