From Bystander to Lifesaver: Learn How to Stop the Bleed

A free community lecture on Feb. 18 in Lompoc will empower everyday people to go from being a bystander to a lifesaver.

Lompoc Valley Medical Center surgeon Dr. William Ganske and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital’s Injury Prevention, Outreach and Education Coordinator Mayra Vázquez, RN, will present a “Stop the Bleed” interactive session at 6 p.m. at the Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center, 1120 W. Ocean Ave.

The free lecture is sponsored by the Lompoc Hospital District Foundation. Reservations are not required.

The session will train community members to treat traumatic injuries involving severe bleeding with simple techniques until first responders arrive. On a space available basis, attendees will be able to do hands-on training with tourniquets. At-cost tourniquet kits will be available for purchase.

The training is particularly critical as bleeding is the top cause of preventable death after injury. During the lecture, attendees will learn:

• How to recognize life-threatening bleeding

• How to apply direct pressure effectively

• How to pack a wound using gauze or clean cloth

• How to apply a tourniquet correctly and safely

• How to communicate with 9-1-1 and bystanders during an emergency

The lecture is designed to help parents, teachers, coaches, workplace teams, community volunteers or anyone who wants to be better prepared to respond in an emergency.

Dr. Ganske is a general surgeon seeing patients at Lompoc Health – North Third Center.