Increasing the Effectiveness of "Stop the Bleed" Training Through Stepwise Mastery Learning with Deliberate Practice

Area of Science:

• Trauma Care
• Medical Education
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• The Stop the Bleed (STB) Campaign aims to reduce civilian deaths from hemorrhage by applying military lessons.
• Current STB training lacks specific hands-on methods and optimized success rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an enhanced STB program.
• The enhancement involved stepwise mastery learning and deliberate practice.

Main Methods:

• Participants underwent STB training using the Peyton 4-stage model and simulation-based mastery learning.
• ASCTC-certified coaches assessed 4 skills: direct pressure, tourniquet application (standard/improvised), and wound packing.
• A 3-point checklist and anonymous questionnaires were used.

Main Results:

• 100% of participants mastered all 4 hemorrhage control skills within 4 attempts.
• 87% could identify signs of life-threatening bleeding.
• 76% felt comfortable using a tourniquet, with most recommending the course.

Conclusions:

• The enhanced STB program is feasible and more effective than current methods.
• Implementing these techniques can improve layperson hemorrhage control skills without additional resources.
• Future research should focus on knowledge retention, skill decay, and implementation science.