From bustling cities to small towns, from classrooms to trauma centers, individuals and organizations united to say: “I’m ready to save a life.”

This year’s campaign featured the first STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon using the STOP THE BLEED® Training Management System, a call to action that inspired tens of thousands to:

• Take a STOP THE BLEED® class
  
• Watch an official training video
  
• Complete the STOP THE BLEED® Quiz 

This campaign is only possible because of the incredible network of partners, advocates, and volunteers who give their time, voices, and expertise to advance this mission.

So, a big thanks to:

• Licensed STOP THE BLEED® Instructors literally teaching people around the world!
  
• Schools, workplaces, and civic groups that hosted community training events
  
• Media outlets, influencers, and public health leaders who helped amplify our message
  
  
• And especially, our dedicated STOP THE BLEED® Ambassadors, whose leadership and advocacy helped us reach new audiences in their communities.

And a special thanks to Shaquille O’Neal, who shared the STOP THE BLEED® message with his 31 million Instagram followers on STOP THE BLEED® Day. His voice helped bring attention to the importance of learning how to stop life-threatening bleeding — showing that lifesaving readiness is for everyone.

While  STOP THE BLEED® Day has passed, STOP THE BLEED® Month continues.  Check out all the things you can do here.  And mark your calendar for STOP THE BLEED® Day 2026, May 21, 2026! 

A Month of Action and Awareness

Every May, we celebrate STOP THE BLEED® Month — a time to spotlight the importance of bleeding control training and to invite communities everywhere to get involved.

At the heart of the month is STOP THE BLEED® Day, happening on May 22, 2025. This annual day of action is designed to engage the public, schools, workplaces, and community organizations in spreading awareness and participating in hands-on training.

This year also marks the launch of the first-ever STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon, a national effort to get as many people trained as possible — whether you have two minutes or two hours, there’s a way to participate. It’s powered by our new Training Management System, making it easier than ever to connect instructors and learners.

Why It Matters

Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. A person can bleed to death in just minutes — often faster than emergency responders can arrive.

That’s why bystanders play a critical role in saving lives. With the right knowledge and tools, anyone can step in and help before first responders get to the scene.

Based on battlefield medical lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan, STOP THE BLEED® equips everyday citizens to recognize life-threatening bleeding and take immediate action using techniques like applying pressure, packing a wound, or using a tourniquet.

Ways to Get Involved

We’ve created several ways for people and organizations to join in throughout May:

STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon
Join others across the country and around the world in getting trained this month.

Social Media Campaigns
Participate in campaigns like Raise Your Hand, Would You Know, and the new #MySTOPTHEBLEEDStory, where people share how and why they got involved.

Grant Program
Apply for the 2025 STOP THE BLEED® Grant Program — which has already awarded $250,000 in bleeding control kits and equipment to schools, public spaces, and communities in need.

Washington, D.C.,  May 1, 2025 – This May, the U.S. Department of Defense’s STOP THE BLEED® program celebrates a decade of empowering everyday people to save lives. Since its launch at a White House event in 2015, the campaign has grown into a global movement, with millions trained across 169 countries.

May 22, 2025  is STOP THE BLEED® Day, a day of action to raise awareness and encourage life-saving training across communities. It’s designed to engage both members of the public as well as community organizations and is a part of STOP THE BLEED® Month, a nationwide effort to expand training and participation throughout May. This year marks the launch of the first-ever STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon, supported by the new STOP THE BLEED® Training Management System.

Why Stop the Bleed Matters

Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death in emergency situations. The STOP THE BLEED® campaign is based on battlefield medical advancements that demonstrated how rapid bleeding control techniques save lives.  Someone can bleed out within minutes.  It can take first responders 7 to 10 minutes to arrive at the scene, and sometimes much longer.  In those cases, only people at the scene can help until first responders arrive.  By equipping everyday citizens with the skills and confidence to act in bleeding emergencies, STOP THE BLEED® is making communities safer and more prepared. Through hands-on training and public awareness campaigns, STOP THE BLEED® transforms bystanders into immediate responders.

How You Can Participate

This May, individuals, organizations, and communities are invited to participate in a range of activities including the following:

• STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon: Whether you have two minutes or two hours, the Trainathon offers ways to learn and get involved.
  
• Social Campaigns: There are several easy and fun social media campaigns, including Raise Your Hand and Would You Know and the new #MySTOPTHEBLEEDStory campaign, encouraging people to film videos of themselves and share their story of getting involved with the campaign.
  
• Grant Program: Applications for the 2025 STOP THE BLEED® Grant Program are open throughout the month.The program has awarded $250,000 in STOP THE BLEED® equipment to date. 

For a full list of activities, visit StopTheBleedProject.org.

Join the Movement

STOP THE BLEED® training is a simple yet powerful way to make a difference. Whether you take a class, spread awareness, or encourage your organization to get involved, you can help save lives. 

To learn more about the STOP THE BLEED® campaign, visit DoDStopTheBleed.org . To learn more about STOP THE BLEED® Day and STOP THE BLEED® Month, visit StopTheBleedProject.org.

Media Contact:

Kayla O’Neill

Marketing Manager

STOP THE BLEED® Project

theteam@stopthebleedproject.org

The grant is designed for organizations seeking to enhance their ability to address a bleeding emergency through training and the installation of public safety infrastructure. Applications are now open to eligible U.S. based organizations who currently have or have applied for a STOP THE BLEED® Educational License. Organizations can apply for a grant at this page.

The grant program is open to eligible U.S.-based schools, government entities, nonprofit organizations, civic groups, and faith-based organizations that currently have or have applied for a STOP THE BLEED® Educational License. This initiative is part of the broader STOP THE BLEED® Project, a public-private collaboration dedicated to raising awareness and expanding access to bleeding control education. By equipping organizations with these essential training tools, the program aims to make bleeding control education more accessible and effective nationwide.

In addition to the grant program, the STOP THE BLEED® Project supports several other initiatives, including STOP THE BLEED® Month (May 2025), STOP THE BLEED® Day (May 22, 2025), the STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon, and the STOP THE BLEED® Ambassador Program. These programs work together to increase public awareness and encourage individuals to take action in their communities. If your organization is committed to providing STOP THE BLEED® training, now is the time to apply for a grant and ensure more people have the knowledge and tools to save lives. Applications are now open! Learn more and apply today.

STOP THE BLEED® Day is scheduled for Thursday, May 22, 2025, during EMS Week.  The EMS professional community is one of the biggest supporters of STB. May is STOP THE BLEED® Month.  

This year, we are introducing a number of new activities to engage the public and the growing STOP THE BLEED® community, including the first STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon using the new STOP THE BLEED® Training Management System.  Other activities include the popular Raise Your Hand and Would You Know social media programs, a STOP THE BLEED® Quiz, new STOP THE BLEED® videos and ways everyone can help to create more awareness of the campaign.  Visit this page for a complete list.

This  year marks the 8th STOP THE BLEED® Day, and the campaign has expanded greatly since the first one in 2018 growing from a national to an international campaign.  STOP THE BLEED® is now in more than 160 countries.

Its expansion is due to the fundamental premise of STOP THE BLEED® – that regular people can learn what to do in a bleeding emergency and act to save someone’s life.  It’s also due to the passionate people and organizations that continue to create more awareness and engagement.  STOP THE BLEED® Day and STOP THE BLEED® Month are both great times to do that.  

We hope you will participate in one (or more) of the many activities we’ve set up and engage those you know to do the same.    

We’ll be announcing all the ways that people can participate on STB Day as well as during STB Month (May 2025).  There is literally something for everyone – training opportunities, how to help us create more awareness of STB, among other things.

Stay tuned for our upcoming announcements in the weeks ahead so you have plenty of time to pick and choose how to be part of this important day.

We are always looking to spread the word about STOP THE BLEED® saves to our community. These stories are a reminder of why we do what we do: because STOP THE BLEED® training can save lives. EMT Matthew Tirschwell used a tourniquet to save the life of a man who was struck by a subway train in Manhattan NYC.

WPIX TV Channel 11 News covered the story:

“NEW YORK (PIX11) – Matthew Tirschwell has carried a medical kit around with him since he became a volunteer EMT in 1992 – but he’s never had to use a tourniquet until last Friday. 

Tirschwell was getting off the subway at 86th Street in Manhattan while returning from a trip to Los Angeles when he heard the commotion. 

“There are different sounds of commotion, and that one sort of caught my ear differently,” he told PIX11 News on Tuesday. 

A man had been struck by a train, and his lower leg was cut off. Tirschwell jumped down to the tracks, put a tourniquet on the man, and waited for the fire department to come.

Firefighters lifted the man off the tracks 15 minutes later – he never would have made it had Tirschwell not come running down the stairs with his suitcases. 

“There’s no question. 15 minutes? A person would bleed out within probably 2-4 minutes,” Tirschwell said. 

“Seeing [the video] … it’s exactly what I remember happening,” Tirschwell said. “These things you don’t forget.”

Tirschwell, from the Upper East Side, owns an architectural lighting business and a lighting distribution company.

In his free time, he volunteers with Gotham Volunteer EMS and runs a foundation focused on management and operations for volunteer emergency medical services. 

Over the years, his medical gear has come in handy for anything from bandaids to Narcan. 

“[Emergencies] like that for some strange reason find their way to me,” Tirschwell said. “One of the things you’ll find about many first responders is that we never turn off. Whether we like to or not, there’s always a little engine that’s running somewhere.”

This subway emergency is a reminder for everyday folks to take CPR and STOP THE BLEED® training courses, Tirschwell said. “

Read the full story from WPIX TV Channel 11.

Find information about STOP THE BLEED® training options at the Department of Defense (DoD) Official STOP THE BLEED® Website, or find more information about STOP THE BLEED® training through the Stop The Bleed Coalition here.

Why STOP THE BLEED® Training is Essential

STOP THE BLEED® is a national campaign aimed at empowering bystanders to act quickly and effectively in the event of severe bleeding. Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death in emergencies, and with the right training, you can save a life. Whether it’s due to an accident, natural disaster, or other emergency, knowing how to stop bleeding until professional help arrives is a skill everyone should have.

How to Get Started

National Preparedness Month is the perfect time to schedule a STOP THE BLEED® training session or to get involved with the STOP THE BLEED® campaign and spread awareness about the importance of bleeding control techniques. Here’s some different ways you can get started:

1. Get STOP THE BLEED® Trained: If you haven’t yet, make sure you and your loved ones are STOP THE BLEED® trained. The easiest way to find a training is to reach out to your local emergency departments, including your local Police, fire, and EMS stations to find out if they provide STOP THE BLEED® training.

2. Organize a Training Session: If you’re part of a community group, school, workplace, or faith-based organization, consider organizing a group training. The STOP THE BLEED® campaign provides resources to help you set up and promote your session, making it easier than ever to get people involved.

3. Promote Your Event: Spread the word about your training session through social media, local news outlets, and community bulletins. Use National Preparedness Month as a theme to encourage more people to participate.

4. Combine with Other Preparedness Activities: Pair your STOP THE BLEED® training with other preparedness activities, like CPR training, fire safety drills, or emergency kit workshops. This approach provides a comprehensive readiness plan for participants.

5. Become a Licensed STOP THE BLEED® Instructor: If you are a qualified individual with a medical or emergency response background, you can apply to become a STOP THE BLEED® Instructor and teach others in your community these lifesaving skills! 

6. Become a STOP THE BLEED® Ambassador: If you are passionate about the STOP THE BLEED® campaign, you can become an official STOP THE BLEED® Ambassador! Join a community of other ambassadors across the world and get access to outreach materials and special promotions.

The Benefits of STOP THE BLEED® Training

By taking just an hour or two to complete a STOP THE BLEED® training, you’ll gain critical skills that can make a difference in an emergency. You’ll learn how to:

– Recognize life-threatening bleeding

– Apply pressure to stop bleeding

– Use a tourniquet effectively

– Pack wounds to control bleeding

These skills are straightforward yet powerful, and they can be applied in various scenarios, from car accidents to natural disasters.

Start a Conversation: 2024 National Preparedness Month Theme

“Talking about bad things that could happen like a disaster or emergency isn’t always easy. We may think we’re protecting the people we love by avoiding these conversations, but they are important to start taking steps to get ready and stay safe.” (Ready.gov)

This month, we encourage you to have a conversation with your friends, family, or members of your community about preparedness.

Specifically, are you and your loved ones STOP THE BLEED® trained?

After a conversation, it’s important to take action!

Get STOP THE BLEED® trained if you haven’t yet.

Spread the word about STOP THE BLEED® and make sure your community is ready.

Purchase a STOP THE BLEED® Kit for yourself or your loved ones to make sure you have all of the tools at hand to stop a life-threatening bleed.

**We only offer military grade Department of Defense approved STOP THE BLEED® Kits.

Why?

In the event of a bleeding emergency, you want to know that you have equipment that will work. There is cheaper equipment in the marketplace, but if you want to have confidence that the equipment you purchase will work when someone’s life is at stake, make sure it carries the STOP THE BLEED® mark.  If it doesn’t say STOP THE BLEED®, it might not work when the time comes.**

Make a Difference This September

National Preparedness Month is all about taking proactive steps to protect yourself, your family, and your community. By planning or participating in a STOP THE BLEED® training, you’re not only preparing for emergencies—you’re also empowering yourself to save lives.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Let’s make this National Preparedness Month a time of action and readiness for all.

It’s May 1st, which means STOP THE BLEED® Month is officially here, and it’s bringing the spotlight onto a vital skill that can truly make a difference between life and death. Whether you’re a seasoned medical professional, a concerned citizen, or someone who just wants to make a positive impact, this month is all about empowering you to take action and save lives.

Imagine this: You’re walking down the street, enjoying the hustle and bustle of everyday life, when suddenly, you hear a cry for help. Your heart races as you rush to the scene, only to find someone in desperate need of assistance. In that moment, every second counts, and your ability to act swiftly and effectively can mean the difference between tragedy and triumph.

That’s where STOP THE BLEED® comes in.  The U.S. Department of Defense STOP THE BLEED® Program is an initiative that began in the United States and has expanded to over 140 countries.  It aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to intervene in bleeding emergencies before professional help arrives. From mass shootings and car accidents to everyday accidents at home or in the workplace, the ability to control bleeding can truly be a lifesaver in any situation.

But STOP THE BLEED® isn’t just about teaching people how to apply a tourniquet or pack a wound. It’s about fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience within our communities. It’s about empowering everyday heroes like you to step up and make a difference when it matters most.

So, what can you do to get involved this STOP THE BLEED® Month? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Attend a Training Session: Check out local training events in your area and sign up to learn valuable bleeding control techniques from certified instructors. These hands-on sessions will give you the skills and confidence you need to spring into action during an emergency.
2. Become a licensed STOP THE BLEED® Instructor.  Help your community or organization by gaining the skills and knowledge needed to teach others how to save lives, multiplying the impact of this critical initiative.  You can apply to become an instructor here.
3. Apply for a STOP THE BLEED® Scholarship: If you are a U.S. High School student, you can apply for our National Scholarship or our Instructor Impact Scholarship and win a monetary award alongside free STOP THE BLEED® kits for your School
4. Apply for a STOP THE BLEED® Grant: Are you a school, a government agency, non-profit, or civic organization? Don’t let budget worries prevent your STOP THE BLEED® training! The STOP THE BLEED® Grant Program, now in its 5th year, has awarded STOP THE BLEED® equipment grants to organizations across the United States. To be eligible to apply, your organization must have an Educational License.
5. Spread the Word: Share information about Stop the Bleed with your friends, family, and colleagues. The more people who are aware of this life-saving initiative, the greater impact we can make together. You can also apply to become an official STOP THE BLEED® Ambassador and you’ll be given tools and information that can help you share our campaign!
6. Get Ready to #RaiseYourHand: help create more awareness of STOP THE BLEED® by taking a picture with one of our Raise Your Hand posters and sharing the photo on social media using #raiseyourhand and tagging @stopthebleedproject. In the caption, tell us why YOU decided to #raiseyourhand to STOP THE BLEED®.
7. Prepare an Emergency Kit: Stock up on essential first aid supplies, including tourniquets, pressure dressings, and hemostatic agents. Keep a kit in your car, at home, and at work so you’re always ready to respond to a bleeding emergency.
8. Stay Informed: Stay up-to-date on the campaign by following STOP THE BLEED® on social media.

Together, we can make STOP THE BLEED® Month more than just a campaign—it can be a catalyst for real change in our communities. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, sharpen our skills, and show the world what it means to be a true hero. Because when it comes to saving lives, every one of us has the power to make a difference. Let’s make this STOP THE BLEED® Month one to remember!

We’re excited to announce the STOP THE BLEED® Project’s programs planned for 2024.  These include the 7th annual STOP THE BLEED®  Day, the STOP THE BLEED®  Scholarship and Grant programs, and the ongoing STOP THE BLEED®  Podcast and Ambassador programs.  New this year is the first STOP THE BLEED®  Summit, a virtual event scheduled for STOP THE BLEED®  Day (May 23, 2024).

This year’s theme is Building Community Through STOP THE BLEED®. We are hearing more and more how people and organizations are building community through the campaign. In these stressful times, STOP THE BLEED® unites people under a common cause, builds community resilience, and fosters connections. It’s about community members knowing they are there for one another, if tragedy strikes. And in a world where emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye, building a prepared and resilient community is essential.   All of the programs this year will reflect this theme in some way.  

STOP THE BLEED® Day – The 7th Annual STOP THE BLEED® Day will take place on May 23, 2024, the Thursday of EMS Week. People can celebrate this day by joining in on the #RaiseYourHand campaign and sharing their reasons why they #stopthebleed. Other programs on this day and throughout STOP THE BLEED® Month will be made available.

The STOP THE BLEED® Grant Program: Now in its 6th year, the Grant program has awarded STOP THE BLEED® equipment grants to organizations across the United States. This year’s grants will consist of STOP THE BLEED® training kits.  Applicants will need to address how they will use the grant to engage their community. Applications are open to eligible U.S. based organizations (government entities, schools, non-profit organizations, civic groups, faith-based organizations). In order to qualify for a grant, organizations must have an STOP THE BLEED® Educational License or have applied for one. Organizations interested in the grant program who have not yet applied for a STOP THE BLEED® Educational License can apply here now; this can be done before the application period is opened later this month. Visit the Grant page for more information or to sign up to be notified when the application period begins.

The STOP THE BLEED® Scholarship Program: This program has provided over $175,000 scholarship awards to date and consists of two types of scholarships. National Scholarships offer high school students across the United States an opportunity to write an essay or make a video about how STOP THE BLEED® training can build community. The STOP THE BLEED® Instructor Impact Scholarships are also open to any student attending high school in the United States. Students must name a current STOP THE BLEED® Instructor as their scholarship application sponsor.   Scholarship winners will receive a monetary award and the Instructor sponsor will receive STOP THE BLEED® training equipment.  The application period begins on 4/9/24 and runs through 5/31/24. Visit the Scholarship page or more information or to apply. For those qualified individuals interested in becoming a licensed Instructor, you can learn more about the instructor program and fill out a free application here. Students who know a first responder, medical personal, or other qualified individual who are not yet licensed to teach STOP THE BLEED®  should encourage that individual to apply in order to sponsor their application. 

Raise Your Hand: this popular social media program is available again to create engagement on STOP THE BLEED® Day and during STOP THE BLEED® Month. New posters have been created that reflect this year’s “Community”  theme. Participants should #raiseyourhand and tag @stopthebleedproject and @stopthebleed on all social platforms. 

The STOP THE BLEED® Ambassador Program: STOP THE BLEED® Ambassadors play an important role in helping to grow the STOP THE BLEED® campaign.  The campaign is seeking individuals who are passionate about STOP THE BLEED®  and are willing to spend extra time and effort to help create awareness about  the STOP THE BLEED® campaign and how anyone can learn to be prepared to save a life. Visit the Ambassador Page for more information and to apply.

The STOP THE BLEED® Podcast: an exciting series of episodes are planned throughout the rest of 2024! From STOP THE BLEED® saves to Instructor stories, Legislation and new insights about bleeding control, each episode highlights the incredible community that the STOP THE BLEED® campaign has been able to build. You can tune into our episode here, or on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The STOP THE BLEED® Project was founded to develop programs that engage people and organizations so they get involved, take action and help the campaign grow. The Project is a public/private collaboration involving a wide range of non-profit organizations, government agencies, companies and individuals who all believe in the importance of the STOP THE BLEED® campaign.