4-Hers get certified in Stop the Bleed

The Polk County 4-H program partnered with Mena Regional Health Systems to present the nationally recognized Stop the Bleed program on March 18. Twenty-five Polk County 4-Hers and parents became certified in lifesaving techniques taught in the program. Kohlea Carmack, an 11 year old 4-Her who is interested in healthcare, expressed an interest in the program after suffering a rather bad cut from barb wire that required numerous stitches. She, along with her mom, worked with Mena Regional Health Systems staff to get the program taught to area 4-Hers over spring break. MRHS employees Tammy Harrison, Pam Posey and Debbie Nelson instructed the 4-Hers on how to identify situations where life threatening bleeding is occurring and techniques to use if you are involved in a situation where bleeding is uncontrolled. The training included wound packing and proper use of tourniquets.

Bridgett Martin, Polk County FCS/4-H agent stated, “We are glad that Kohlea was interested in such a great program. It fits in great with the Health component of 4-H which sometimes gets overlooked. It was also very timely considering the Arkansas House just passed HB1014 ‘requiring that bleeding control training be taught as part of high school health courses’. Overall this information was very life applicable and our 4-Hers are already ahead of the game in that training.”

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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