EXPERIENCE OF TEACHING THE “STOP THE BLEED” TRAINING PROGRAM IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS OF THE UKRAINIAN POPULATION

Abstract

Military conflicts significantly increase civilian casualties, with massive hemorrhage being the leading cause of death. This underscores the critical need for public education in bleeding control skills. In response, this study analyzes the experience of teaching the “Stop the Bleed” (StB ACS) course to various age groups of the civilian population in Ukraine. From January to December 2024, free training sessions were conducted for school teachers, adolescents (14–18 years), and university students, comprising theoretical lectures and practical sessions on direct pressure, wound packing, tourniquet application, and pressure bandage application. Training effectiveness was assessed using pre- and post-training tests covering general information, readiness to provide aid, and theoretical knowledge. Statistical analysis included means, standard errors, and relative frequency with 95% confidence intervals. Results demonstrated a significant increase in readiness to provide aid (from 63–68% to 91–95%) and improved theoretical knowledge (from 70% to 85–96% correct answers) across all groups post-training. Before training, the most common errors were found in questions related to personal safety and aid prioritization, especially among adolescents. The majority of participants expressed satisfaction with the training and recommended it. The study confirms the high effectiveness of the StB ACS teaching methodology for various age groups and professions, recommending its further implementation. The demonstrated interest among adolescents indicates the feasibility of their involvement in such programs. Future research will focus on developing individualized modules to address specific knowledge gaps and investigating the long-term retention of acquired skills.