Reflection

Due to the lack of first aid education in schools, people are forced to improvise during the critical time frame of an emergency. It is imperative that bystanders are trained to act on these situations to ensure the safety of their peers. The Stop the Bleed training program can potentially save lives in the future and improve the state of public safety. Implementing the training in my community and school helps us work towards the welfare of all community members.

By completing the Stop the Bleed training course, my audience learned to recognize life-threatening bleeding and control it. Trainees were able to practice the techniques of bleeding control, applying direct pressure, packing the wound, and applying a tourniquet. They also learned to prioritize personal safety and which materials make up a bleeding control kit.

The biggest obstacle I encountered during my project was the sudden effects of COVID-19. An important component of the Stop the Bleed training is attendees being able to practice their newly acquired skills through hands-on, interactive activities. When the world was hit by the coronavirus pandemic, I had to communicate with Ms. McEuen to shift the Stop the Bleed training to a virtual platform. I personally distributed a tourniquet to each trainee so that they could practice the techniques of bleeding control even though we could not meet in person. This project has taught me to be flexible and that plans are subject to change. Over the course of the last several months, I learned to roll with the punches and adjust my approach accordingly.

In order to be efficient in completing my Girl Scout Gold Award project, I had to implement multiple leadership skills. I utilized my strengths in communication to schedule Stop the Bleed training sessions, coordinating with Ms. McEuen and my high school club advisor, Ms. Schottland. Additionally, I needed to stay organized to keep up with the changes brought on by the pandemic. Ms. McEuen and I adapted to these changes by holding virtual training sessions, as mentioned earlier. I believe the most successful part of my project was the large audience I was able to reach with Stop the Bleed's message and training. Many people at my school and in my community were unaware of the importance of the urgent first response to a bleeding emergency. I am proud to know that I helped over 100 people gain the knowledge necessary to potentially save lives through Stop the Bleed training, and I hope to make more people aware of this message through my website.

From the graph above, the majority of trainees had a positive experience with the Stop the Bleed program and felt it is beneficial to share with others. Attendees marked their response on a scale from 1 to 5, and averages are shown on the graph.