Providence Alaska Medical Center staff shared vital first aid skills with Anchorage residents Monday, in a class focused on how to halt blood loss from major injuries.
Although many attendees already know what to do in an emergency, Monday's free class, held as part of the national Stop the Bleed Month, gave them a chance improve their skills while showing others how to help when needed.
"I use it every day when I'm at work, and then I've had to use it on several occasions when I've been out in the community," said Providence trauma nurse Krista Ralls.
Anchorage firefighters were among those who took part in the training as part of the national Stop the Bleed event.
According to Stop the Bleed, the average time for first responders to arrive on scene is 7 to 10 minutes nationwide. The public can buy valuable time for a patient by knowing what to do.
"Assist them in kind of controlling life-threatening situations, so that they feel empowered, and contribute to help saving an individual," Ralls said.