In the military, soldiers are expected to treat massive bleeding right away.
Connecticut state troopers say new training they've received on how to prevent death by controlling early bleeding from major injuries has helped to save lives.
Last year in Hartford, there were discussions between medical experts, law enforcement, fire and rescue and the military on ways to improve survival rates from active shooter events. This followed the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre and the Boston Marathon bombings. The conversations led to new guidelines for troopers and officers.
Law enforcement in Connecticut and nationwide are now learning how to use tourniquets and gauze to stop severe bleeding quickly. It's based on a system used in the military, where soldiers have buddies. Each solider carries a tourniquet and hemostatic dressing. They're expected to treat massive bleeding right away. The results in Iraq and Afghanistan were significant. Mortality rates from severe bleeding dropped from 7.2 to 2.8 percent.
Recently, three Connecticut troopers who responded to a suicide attempt in Lisbon received awards for using a tourniquet to save a woman's life.
