Monday Musings

Bleeding can occur from violent or non-violent causes: violence has become rampant in our society, whether from a random deranged shooter to a mass of enraged protestors; non-violent accidents, such as a chainsaw injury or a motor vehicle collision, can also cause severe bleeding. A penetrating wound involving a major blood vessel can result in catastrophic bleeding. Exsanguinating hemorrhage can occur in a matter of minutes. A human body contains five liters of blood; if you lose two liters you can die! As a trauma surgeon, I dealt with life-threatening bleeding both in the Trauma Center and the Operating Room, where I had access to well-trained staff and bountiful equipment. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to provide immediate life-saving treatment to yourself or bystanders, on the scene of the event with minimal supplies, until emergency services arrive. I was trained to respond by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) and have trained others. D...