Skip to main content

Assemblymember Rodriguez Introduces Critical Legislation to Require ‘STOP THE BLEED’ Training in High Schools

For immediate release:

(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblymember Rodriguez (D – Pomona) has introduced AB 71 which would require ‘STOP THE BLEED’ training, including instruction of bleeding control methods, for high school students that must complete a health education class for graduation.

“In 2016, I authored AB 1719 which required CPR training as a standard part of high school health curriculum. Now, I find it critical that we train our students to serve as immediate responders should they ever be faced with life-threatening blood loss. Our students are our future leaders, and providing them with these life-saving skills now will empower them through adulthood” stated Assemblymember Rodriguez.

In the Hartford Consensus II and III, a group of experts concluded that bystanders should be trained and empowered to serve as immediate responders and stop a hemorrhage in order to save lives. Additionally, in 2015, President Obama launched the ‘STOP THE BLEED’ campaign, a grassroots effort to encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to take life-saving action while emergency medical services personnel are en route.

As mass shootings have become more common, other states have passed legislation in an effort to empower and train their residents to ‘STOP THE BLEED.’ For example, Texas and Indiana have both passed laws to place trauma kits in schools while also providing training. Furthermore, Georgia included the cost of installing trauma kits in schools into the state’s budget. AB 71 allows California to follow these states’ important lead.

A recent study found that students were more likely to help an injured person after taking a bleeding control methods course (80.8% as compared to 43.8%). Another study conducted at the Uniformed Services University found “just-in-time” instructions doubled the successful placement of a tourniquet (20.41% to 44.14%). Additionally, a third study found that a fifteen minute web-based training coupled with the “just-in-time” instructions increased success rates to nearly 75%.

“As a career first responder, I know that empowering bystanders to help stop a hemorrhage while waiting for professional help to arrive can effect a victim’s survival rate. AB 71 would train students with this life-saving skill so that they are able to step up as an immediate responder in the classroom, or in any other environment they may find themselves in,” added Assemblymember Rodriguez.

Assemblymember Rodriguez (Twitter) represents the 53rd Assembly District which includes the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona, and Upland. He is Chair of the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management.