Rossville Schools have been proactive in preparing everyone for emergency situations, including staff and students. This is why the district is committed to providing equipment and training to save a life as the school has multiple AEDs and bleeding control stations within the buildings.
It was the students’ turn on Saturday morning as 25 members of the Rossville FFA took part in a ‘Stop the Bleed’ training program under the direction of David Hodson of the Rossville Volunteer Ambulance Service.
“There’s lot of instructors, including myself, the hospitals, the different EMS agencies, anybody can provide this training and it is very important,” said Hodson. “It is training that obviously we hope we never have to use. But in today’s world, you don’t know when you may come across something that you can save someone’s life.”
Hodson said the leadership of more and more organizations are finding out that the kids can do this training as well. He added the first three to five minutes after something happens in the most critical part.
“That can make the difference between life and death,” said Hodson. “We’re usually at least 10 minutes out. We can’t get there instantly. You guys are likely going to be the first ones on the scene. That first three to five minutes can make the difference in someone’s life.”
Hodson said a lot of deaths in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut were not from gunshot wounds. They died because they “bled out.”
Hodson talked about the ABCs of Bleeding. He said A is for Alert — call 911. B is for Bleeding — find the bleeding injury; and C is Compress — apply pressure to stop the bleeding, cover the wound with a clean cloth and apply pressure by pushing directly on it and then use the tourniquet.
Rossville FFA Chapter President Courtney Rodkey talked about the importance of this training.
“You never know when you’re going to be when a situation could require some training,” said Rodkey. “I think it’s great we had so many kids that wanted to come out and learn.”
Rodkey also said the biggest thing she took away was the packing of the wound and how to use the tourniquet.
“I don’t think any of us have ever been in a situation where we’ve used these,” said Rodkey. “It’s great to know that we’ll know how to use these.”
Rodkey added one other important thing.
“He (Hodson) pointed out this could happen in any situation,” she said. “A lot of us live on farms and accidents always happen. This will be a big help in future situations.”
Superintendent Dr. Jim Hanna said he was glad the Rossville FFA was willing to take the initiative to save a life.
“While these skills are critical to a mass shooting situation such Parkland in Florida or in the Las Vegas shooting, they are vital in other equally traumatic events on the highway, on the farm, or within a community,” he said. “I am impressed that our students want to know how to respond to massive bleeding events and thankful to David Hodson and others of the Rossville Volunteer Ambulance Service for providing the training.”
Rossville Schools trained 105 staff members in Bleeding Control on August 1 along with training in CPR and suicide prevention.