An effective security team is more than just personnel and equipment, it requires training, ideally including a medical component.
Although active violent incidents can occur anywhere, places of worship are increasingly targeted. In response, many organizations have established security teams, sometimes armed. A robust security plan to protect your community has to include the immediate management of wounded.
An effective security team is more than just personnel and equipment; it requires training. Ideally, a comprehensive security and medical treatment plan would begin with training and education before buying gear. Selling equipment has become big business. It's best to learn what you need and how to use it before investing your community’s limited resources.
Injured can bleed to death from massive hemorrhage in less than five minutes. If medical care arrives after that time, immediate care must be provided by other worshipers in the building. If not, you will watch your loved one or your neighbor bleed to death. You don’t have to.
The average law enforcement response time to an active shooter event is generally 4 minutes after the first 911 call. EMS response will take longer than that; even aggressive EMS entry may be 10 minutes or more. Law enforcement will be busy neutralizing the threat and securing the scene. Using minimal equipment and straightforward techniques, you can be the help before help arrives.
“No matter how rapid the arrival of professional emergency responders, bystanders will always be first on the scene. A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes, therefore, it is important to stop the blood loss quickly. Those nearest to someone with life-threatening injuries are best positioned to provide first care. According to a recent National Academies of Science study, trauma is the leading cause of death for Americans under age 46. Remember to be aware of your surroundings and move yourself and the injured person to safety, if necessary.” - US DHS Stop the Bleed, https://www.dhs.gov/stopthebleed
You could learn the foundational medical skills in a 2.5-hour course.
The course is offered online, so you can take it when and where you have time. What if your place of worship had a trauma kit colocated with the AED and instead of just learning CPR, your security team and community learned how to save lives from an active violent incident?
Discounts are available for groups of six or more, please email us for details.
Mike Shertz, MD is a board-certified, practicing Emergency Medicine Physician and former Army Special Forces medic. He has trained individuals all over the world and brings you real-world examples and experience in an easy-to-absorb course. You’ll learn the science behind the techniques so you really understand what needs to be done and can do it under stress, as well as how to keep yourself and those you care about safe while you treat casualties. You’ll see lectures followed by hands-on skills demonstrations. With a small investment, you could train right alongside the videos from you computer this weekend in less time than it takes to watch a movie.