In a significant stride towards campus safety, the UCLA Office of Emergency Management (OEM) empowered nearly 500 student staff last fall by delivering the American College of Surgeons STOP THE BLEED (STB) training, a first of its kind at UCLA.
STB is a nationally recognized campaign equipping the public with life-saving skills to respond to life-threatening bleed emergencies before professional help arrives. The one-hour training focuses on crucial skills such as applying pressure, packing wounds and using tourniquets.
Given that bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death after injury, this program aligns with UCLA's mission to enhance preparedness and save lives. Providing this opportunity also aligns with UCLA's commitment and dedication to community engagement and elevates the campus community by empowering students and staff with life-saving skills.
Before the course, 90% of participants had not received this training, and less than 40% felt willing to attempt to control severe bleeding or use a tourniquet. Post-training, an encouraging 69% of students indicated they would likely control severe bleeding, with an impressive 97% willing to use a tourniquet. This remarkable 56% surge in participants' confidence underscores UCLA's dedication to dispelling apprehensions and fostering a supportive environment for acquiring essential life-saving skills.
This initiative was an ambitious collaboration between various campus entities, including OEM, UCLA Health, Residential Life, Housing and Hospitality and the schools of medicine and public health. The potentially life-saving program was coordinated by OEM and developed through a cross-campus workgroup, engaging more than 20 expert instructors from nearby hospitals and resulting in a valuable certification for Bruins.
This collaboration with Residential Life marks a significant achievement, not just for the university, but for the entire Residential Life community, and there are plans underway to organize more courses in 2024. The program not only equips participants with life skills but also fosters collaboration and community within Residential Life. Together, through initiatives like this, UCLA is actively working towards becoming a safer and more prepared community. To learn more about upcoming events, follow UCLA Environment, Health & Safety (@UCLAehs) on Instagram, Facebook and X.
