When a gunman rained bullets on concertgoers during a music festival in Las Vegas earlier this month, ordinary citizens were first responders, saving lives by applyng makeshift tourniquets, using sections of fencing and wheelbarrows to immediately get the injured out of harm's way and into personal vehicles for quick transport to the emergency room. Their actions saved lives. It also raised questions: How prepared would the average person be to help in a tragedy like that? Would you know how to stop the bleeding? The aftermath of the shooting has led to increased interest in trauma training for the public so that bystanders can be of help until professional help arrives.
Dr. Thomas Collins, MD, Director, Emergency Medical Services, MetroHealth Medical Center
Dr. Deborah Kuhls, University Medical Center Las Vegas, ACS Committee on Trauma