Stop the Bleed
Life‑threatening bleeding can happen anywhere. When it does, the people already on the scene are often the first to respond.
American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed Program (ACS STB) is a national haemorrhage control programme designed to equip the public with the skills to manage traumatic bleeding while waiting for emergency services.
Surgeons and healthcare professionals play a critical role in delivering this training locally, supporting workplaces and communities to be prepared.
Aims of Stop the Bleed
Stop the Bleed aims to reduce preventable harm from severe bleeding by supporting early action before emergency services arrive.
The programme focuses on building skills, confidence and preparedness beyond traditional emergency settings through locally delivered training.
What we’re doing
Each year, we train more than 4,000 doctors and health professionals across the UK through the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course and other events. ATLS trained clinicians are then able to deliver Stop the Bleed training in their local professional and community settings.
The programme will also expand to place haemorrhage‑control kits in public locations, creating a nationwide network of equipment and people who know how to use it.
Get involved
Healthcare professionals
By completing ATLS with us, you can help extend this life‑saving knowledge into schools, community groups and public spaces.
If you've completed ATLS, you're already equipped to deliver this training locally. We encourage you to connect with schools, youth groups, community organisations and venues in your area.
Funding support for Stop the Bleed kits is also available. Get in touch at education@rcseng.ac.uk to find out more.
Community members
Join our free, one‑hour Stop the Bleed session and learn how to respond to life‑threatening bleeding before emergency services arrive.
Outputs
- Stop the Bleed instructor training sessions to support local delivery
- Stop the Bleed training sessions for community members
- Development of a network of haemorrhage control kits