What is ACS Stop the Bleed (stopthebleed.org)?

Updated

ACS Stop the Bleed is a bleeding-control program run by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Its site, stopthebleed.org, is the hub for finding a bleeding-control course, ordering kits and emergency aid stations, and learning the basic steps to control severe bleeding. It is worth trusting for this purpose because ACS describes itself as the original U.S. Department of Defense STOP THE BLEED® partner and says more than 5 million people have been trained. The site is aimed at bystanders—people with no medical background—rather than at clinicians.

What the program actually does

The program's stated goal is to move someone from bystander to lifesaver by teaching three basic actions to control severe bleeding in an injured person. The site frames the need directly: bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death after injury.

The page backs that claim with figures it publishes:

  • 17 states have passed bleeding control legislation
  • 168 countries are teaching ACS Stop the Bleed
  • 80% of OR deaths within 24 hours of trauma are due to severe blood loss

What you can do on the site

The site is organized around four main actions:

Section What it's for
Get Trained Find an ACS Stop the Bleed course near you
Order Kits & Stations Buy bleeding-control kits and ACS Emergency Aid Stations
How to Control Bleeding Learn the three techniques, demonstrated by Megan Quintana, MD, FACS
News & Advocacy Read stories and updates on bleeding-control legislation and saves

There is also an Instructor Portal, which suggests the site serves both learners and people who teach the course.

Who it's for

  • Individuals with no medical training who want to know what to do if someone is bleeding severely
  • Workplaces, schools, and public venues looking to stock kits or aid stations and train staff
  • Instructors who need course materials and a portal to manage teaching

If you are a clinician looking for clinical guidance on hemorrhage management, this is not that resource—the content is written for laypeople.

How to judge whether it's credible

Two things are checkable from the site itself. First, the operator: the American College of Surgeons is a professional surgical organization, and the program is presented as its initiative. Second, the partnership claim: ACS Stop the Bleed states it is the original U.S. Department of Defense STOP THE BLEED® partner. The training scale (5 million+ trained, 168 countries) is the program's own reported figure, so treat it as a self-reported number rather than an independently audited one.

The site also carries a practical note: it does not support Internet Explorer 11 and asks visitors to update their browser for the best experience.

What the site does not tell you

The page evidence does not list prices for kits or courses, and it does not state whether courses are free or require login. If cost matters to you, check the specific course listing or kit page rather than assuming either way.