As part of the STHS Freestanding Emergency Departments’ Calm in a Crisis: Family First Aid Academy, the session will help parents and caregivers recognize and control life-threatening bleeding.
It’s an alarming reality: without immediate action, a lifethreatening bleed can become fatal in as little as three to five minutes.
Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States following traumatic injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accounting for approximately 40% of early traumarelated deaths.
Lifethreatening bleeding can occur in many situations, from everyday accidents and natural disasters to acts of violence, making rapid bystander intervention critical to survival.
“In severe bleeding emergencies, minutes truly matter. They can lead to fatal blood loss within 5 minutes, faster than the average emergency response time of seven to 10 minutes,” says James Gratton, MD, an emergency medicine physician affiliated with South Texas Health System (STHS) McAllen. “Knowing how to recognize lifethreatening bleeding and take immediate action can mean the difference between life and death before emergency responders arrive.”
An estimated 30,000 lives could be saved each year if more people knew how to stop life-threatening bleeding, according to the CDC, with roughly 20% to 35% of trauma deaths from bleeding being preventable.
“While many people are familiar with basic first aid, fewer are trained in specialized techniques like tourniquet application for severe bleeding,” Dr. Gratton added. “Bystanders are often the first on the scene and knowing how to stop the bleed—by applying direct pressure or using a tourniquet—saves lives.”
As part of its monthly Calm in a Crisis: Family First Aid Academy, STHS’ freestanding emergency departments will dedicate the final session of the series to STOP THE BLEED® training.
The session will take place on Monday, April 27, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Clubs of McAllen’s Brand Center. Led by MedCare EMS representatives, the training will provide handson instruction for parents and caregivers on how to recognize and respond to lifethreatening bleeding emergencies.
“STOP THE BLEED training empowers bystanders to provide immediate, lifesaving care before professional help arrives,” said Dr. Gratton. “By learning how to identify lifethreatening bleeding, apply direct pressure, pack wounds and properly use tourniquets, participants gain the confidence and skills needed to potentially save lives.”
Open to club parents, caregivers and the broader community, this final session in STHS’ threepart first aid education and training series will also feature representatives from several STHS facilities and departments, including STHS ER Mission and STHS ER Ware Road, who will share valuable information about programs and services that support the health and wellbeing of families across the Rio Grande Valley.
“When parents are empowered with lifesaving skills, entire families are safer,” says Julia Niño, RN, Director, STHS ER Mission & STSH ER Weslaco. “This training equips caregivers with the confidence to respond when every second counts.”
The event is free to attend, and no registration is required. Food and beverages will be provided. For more information about the Family First Aid Academy, visit the STHS Facebook Events page.
For additional first aid education, visit the STHS website at www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first dedicated children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.
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