STOP THE BLEED® Kit - Basic

Severe bleeding can become fatal in as little as 3–5 minutes—often faster than emergency medical services can arrive. That’s why immediate access to bleeding control tools is so critical. The Basic STOP THE BLEED® Kit, packaged in a durable resealable poly bag, equips bystanders with the essential tools to take rapid action when seconds matter most.

Essential components

At the heart of this Stop the Bleed kit is a windlass tourniquet—your choice of the CAT® from North American Rescue, the SOF® Tourniquet by TacMed Solutions, or the SAM XT® from SAM Medical. These are the same tourniquets trusted by military and emergency professionals worldwide for their proven effectiveness in controlling life-threatening extremity hemorrhage.

The kit also includes two compressed gauzes for packing deep wounds, as well as a 4-inch emergency trauma dressing designed to apply direct pressure and hold the gauze securely in place. A pair of nitrile gloves ensures safety for both the responder and the patient, while 5.5-inch trauma shears make it easy to expose injuries quickly. A mini Sharpie® marker is included for writing the time of tourniquet application—an essential detail for EMS and hospital personnel. Finally, a step-by-step instruction sheet with diagrams guides users through the bleeding control process, making this kit accessible even for those with no medical training.

About STOP THE BLEED®

The STOP THE BLEED® campaign, launched by the Department of Homeland Security, empowers everyday people to become immediate responders. This kit supports that mission by putting life-saving tools into the hands of teachers, bystanders, drivers, and others who may be first on the scene. Whether placed in a classroom, vehicle, office, or public gathering space, this kit provides the means to save a life.

Other kit options

An intermediate version that adds a chest seal and hypothermia blanket and an advanced version that then adds a hemostatic dressing are available.

The Rescue Essentials Stop the Bleed - Dual Treatment Kit contains two of these modules. Use these modules as replacements for that kit or to build your own bleeding control response kit.