For Immediate Release

Monday, Jan. 9, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: [email protected]

Maynard Police Host Tourniquet Training Developed by MGH Surgeon

MAYNARD — Chief Mark W. Dubois is pleased to announce that the Maynard Police Department hosted a “Stop the Bleed” tourniquet training last week.

The program, created by Dr. David King, LTC, was hosted at the Maynard Public Library, 77 Nason St., on Friday, Jan. 6.

Dr. King — a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital, an assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School and a combat surgeon in the military for 14 years — is well known for completing the Boston Marathon just before the two bombs went off in 2013 and then immediately treating those who were injured.

The hour-long course, which was taught by Col. Richard L. Bailey and members of the 804th Medical Brigade based out of Fort Devens, focused on the importance of training both emergency responders and civilians alike on how to properly apply a tourniquet.

Col. Bailey began the session with a short video explaining appropriate situations to use a tourniquet and how to correctly apply one. The video also provided information about Dr. King and how his program has been proven to work. Just days after receiving this same training, two Boston Police Officers were shot in the line of duty and doctors credited the proper application of a tourniquet for saving one officer’s life.

Following the video, attendees broke out into small groups to practice applying the tourniquets. In each group, a member of the 804th Medical Brigade demonstrated proper technique and had participants practice applying the tourniquet three times on a prop — a trick that Dr. King believes help commit the skill to memory.

Col. Bailey stressed that civilians and bystanders are more likely to need this type of training for injuries and accidents that occur on the job site, at school or at home, where immediate treatment is required.

“This is not just for an active shooter or mass casualty event,” Colonel Bailey said during the program.

Members from Maynard Police, Fire and the Department of Public Works were present for the training, as well as representatives from the Concord, Acton, Bedford, Sudbury and Stow Police Departments.

“We were honored to host this training here in Maynard,” Chief Dubois said. “This information is important for all public safety officials and civilians to learn, as they may encounter a life-threatening situation or accident in their jobs or everyday lives that calls for emergency treatment before first responders arrive on scene.”

For more information about Dr. King’s Stop the Bleed program, or to schedule a training in your community, contact Col. Richard Bailey at [email protected] or 508-456-1881.

###