The Carmel Fire Department (CFD) began distributing bleeding control kits to the CCS district. According to Andrew Young, the EMS training Captain for the CFD, The idea started due to the increase of country wide mass casualties within schools and an instance of a kit saving a students life, like the shooting that happened at Noblesville West Middle School in 2018.
These kits, fully supplied with medical gloves, scissors, tourniquet, a black marker and dressings are all supplies to stop a bleed from becoming deadly before emergency authorities arrive.
These kits are placed within each classroom, and supplied on each bus for CCS in case of an emergency occurs on the way to school. Staff were required to watch a video explaining how to use the kits and when to use them.
“Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death in the event of an injury. Using the contents of the kit- can be really lifesaving.” Young said.
The kits are supplied so that any staff member, or student can use to prevent and minimize injuries from getting out of control.
The kits are also now being given out to private schools, churches, City of Carmel owned vehicles, parks and other establishments.

According to Ruchi Prakash, Club Med leader and senior, the kits are important for safety.
“Bleeding can determine life or death. Having these (Stop the Bleed kits) nearby and being prepared for anything even before an event occurs can save a life. I think that it is great that the district is adding more,” Prakash said.
According to Amy Fletchall, long-time CCS district nurse, uncontrolled bleeding can be deadly within five minutes if not stopped. The placement of these kits allows for the overall safety of each classroom to increase if an extreme mass violent school wide event occurs.
Fletchall said, “It makes everyone a first responder, you’re not waiting on medical staff or EMS to arrive on site. It just makes everybody capable of handling an emergency situation.”

Young said members of the fire department hope these kits can help if an emergency situation happens and he hopes people have an understanding of how to use them.

“Know where the kits are located in your school, buildings, bus, and more,” Young said, “this is lifesaving.”