Program Overview

Thank you for your interest in the Stop the Bleed (STB) – First Aid for Severe Bleeding Program. This KSC initiative teaches volunteer employees how to control life-threatening bleeding until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrive.

• Stop the Bleed® is a national campaign led by the U.S. Department of Defense, and NASA supports this initiative by promoting awareness and training in lifesaving bleeding control techniques.
• The program is informed by lessons learned in battlefield medicine, including experiences from Iraq and Afghanistan, and has been adapted for effective use in everyday emergencies.
• In less than one hour, individuals with no prior medical training can learn how to stop life-threatening bleeding and potentially save a life.
• Presentations and classes are offered during Safety & Health Days and through Facility Manager communications. Check the KSC Daily News for upcoming training opportunities.

Why It Matters

Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death after injury. A person can lose a life-threatening amount of blood in just a few minutes, often before professional medical services can arrive.

• Time is critical: In urban areas, EMS may take 10-15 minutes or longer to arrive; in remote or restricted locations, response can take 30 minutes or more.
• Immediate response saves lives: Anyone can learn simple, effective techniques to help stop bleeding and stabilize an injured person until trained responders take over.
• Workplace relevance: At NASA centers and facilities, employees may encounter construction areas, high-hazard operations, or remote locations where rapid response is essential.

By training volunteers across the centers, the Stop the Bleed program helps ensure that lifesaving skills and kits are available when and where they are needed most.

Average time to bleed out	Average time for 1st responders to arrive	Deaths worldwide due to bleeding

What To Do

At Kennedy Space Center (KSC), the Stop the Bleed (STB) kits are strategically located across facilities, with priority placement in high-hazard operations and construction areas. Most kits are co-located with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

Quick Tips:

• Apply direct pressure: Firmly and continuously pressing on the wound with a bandage, cloth, or your hands.
• Pack the wound: For deep wounds, stuffing the wound cavity with hemostatic gauze, first aid gauze, or clean cloth to stop the bleeding from its source and then apply direct pressure.
• Apply a tourniquet: For severe, life-threatening bleeding on an arm or leg, placing a tourniquet two to three inches above the wound and twisting the rod until the bleeding stops. 
• In any emergency, call 911. At KSC call 321-867-7911, and/or at CCAFS call 321-853-0911

Learn More

Participation in the “Stop the Bleed (STB) – First Aid for Severe Bleeding” program is open to all employees, regardless of prior medical experience. To get involved, contact your Facility Manager to request a class (a minimum of 8 participants is required).

• Download the Stop The Bleed (STB) PDF brochure

KSC Points of Contact

You may also email one of the POCs listed below to express your interest:

• Stephen Pilkenton – stephen.pilkenton@nasa.gov
• Albert Praetorius – albert.s.praetorius@nasa.gov
• Brittany Freeman – brittany.freeman@nasa.gov