Active Bleeding Control - Can Pediatricians Stem the Tide of Lives Lost from Trauma Through 'Stop the Bleed' Training?

Trauma is a global challenge and India has one of the highest trauma deaths in the world. Despite United Nations target to halve the global number of deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2030, death tolls from Road Traffic Injuries (RTI) rising in India. In pediatric age groups, falls from height add to the burden of trauma. Uncontrolled bleeding from exsanguination on scene is estimated to account for nearly 40% of RTI trauma related mortality. Stopping the bleeding in the first few minutes is crucial for meaningful survival and hence the role of training lay public who can reach the scene in minutes. Active Bleeding Control (ABC) pilot research project to simulation train the bystanders to stop the bleed showed promising outcomes in Hyderabad, India. This paper describes the ABC project and discusses the role of pediatricians in training the public to reduce morbidity and mortality from uncontrolled bleeding at trauma scene.