To assist in the fight against violent crime in Savannah, the trauma team in the Parker’s Emergency & Trauma Center at Memorial University Medical Center will provide the Savannah Metropolitan Police Department with 518 bleeding-control kits. The kits contain tourniquets and wound-packing materials to help police render immediate, potentially life-saving medical aid at the scene of a traumatic injury.  More than 500 Savannah police officers will be trained to use the kits by instructors from Memorial’s trauma team and regional partners. The training dates are February 12,13, and 14.

“When there is a major trauma such as a car accident or a shooting, an injured person can bleed to death before they even get to the hospital. When first-responders on the scene can stop or slow the bleeding, that gives the patient valuable time. It can be the difference between life and death” said James Dunne, M.D., chief of trauma services at Memorial.

Additional bleeding-control kits will be given to the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, Savannah Fire and Emergency Services, and Southside Fire/EMS.  Savannah Fire and Emergency Services personnel have already received training.