This May marks a major milestone: 10 years of the U.S. Department of Defense’s STOP THE BLEED® campaign. What began in 2015 at a White House event has grown into a global movement, with millions of people trained in life-saving bleeding control techniques across 169 countries.
A Month of Action and Awareness
Every May, we celebrate STOP THE BLEED® Month — a time to spotlight the importance of bleeding control training and to invite communities everywhere to get involved.
At the heart of the month is STOP THE BLEED® Day, happening on May 22, 2025. This annual day of action is designed to engage the public, schools, workplaces, and community organizations in spreading awareness and participating in hands-on training.
This year also marks the launch of the first-ever STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon, a national effort to get as many people trained as possible — whether you have two minutes or two hours, there’s a way to participate. It’s powered by our new Training Management System, making it easier than ever to connect instructors and learners.
Why It Matters
Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. A person can bleed to death in just minutes — often faster than emergency responders can arrive.
That’s why bystanders play a critical role in saving lives. With the right knowledge and tools, anyone can step in and help before first responders get to the scene.
Based on battlefield medical lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan, STOP THE BLEED® equips everyday citizens to recognize life-threatening bleeding and take immediate action using techniques like applying pressure, packing a wound, or using a tourniquet.
Ways to Get Involved
The STOP THE BLEED® Project has created several programs for people and organizations to join in throughout May:
STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon
Join others across the country and around the world in getting trained this month.
Social Media Campaigns
Participate in campaigns like Raise Your Hand, Would You Know, and the new #MySTOPTHEBLEEDStory, where people share how and why they got involved.
Grant Program
Apply for the 2025 STOP THE BLEED® Grant Program — which has already awarded $250,000 in bleeding control kits and equipment to schools, public spaces, and communities in need.
For a full list of events and opportunities, visit StopTheBleedProject.org.
Join the Movement
Training is quick, simple, and powerful. Whether you’re learning how to stop a bleed, spreading awareness on social media, or encouraging your organization to participate, you’re helping build a more prepared and resilient community.
Learn more about the national campaign at DoDStopTheBleed.org
Get involved in STOP THE BLEED® Month and Day at StopTheBleedProject.org
