Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death from trauma. The First Aid for

Severe Trauma (FAST) program provides participants with the knowledge and skills they need to

respond to an emergency involving life-threatening bleeding, including how to:

• Recognize a life-threatening bleeding emergency.

• Ensure safety and communicate effectively in an emergency.

• Control life-threatening bleeding using direct pressure, a tourniquet, or both.

The program is designed to enhance participants’ ability to take decisive, lifesaving action to assist a

person with a traumatic injury and life-threatening bleeding until professional responders arrive.

Course Objectives

• Exhibit the characteristics required of an American Red Cross representative and role model.

• State the importance of personal safety for the responder and for the injured person.

• Distinguish life-threatening bleeding from non-life-threatening bleeding.

• Demonstrate high-level communication skills in an emergency setting.

• Communicate essential information to a 9-1-1 dispatcher.

• Describe methods used to stop bleeding.

• Describe positions of comfort for an injured person.

• Demonstrate how to apply direct pressure and use a tourniquet to stop bleeding.