Learning to stop severe bleeding is a direct way for a bystander to save a life before professional medical help arrives. The Stop the Bleed (STB) campaign empowers the public with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to control life-threatening hemorrhage. Since uncontrolled bleeding can lead to death in minutes, the training focuses on immediate actions like applying pressure, packing wounds, and using a tourniquet.
Official Policy on Certification Validity
The question of whether an official Stop the Bleed certificate expires is common. The certificate issued upon completion of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) or Department of Defense-approved course does not carry a mandatory expiration date. Unlike certifications such as CPR, there is no nationally mandated recertification cycle for the STB course itself.
The card received after successfully completing the training remains valid as a record of initial attendance and proficiency. However, this administrative policy is distinct from organizational requirements. Many employers, volunteer groups, or specific institutions may impose their own internal two-year renewal requirement for staff to ensure consistent readiness and skill maintenance. If a specific training provider issues their own certification, they might also set a two-year expiration period.
Importance of Skill Retention and Refresher Training
Despite the lack of a national expiration date, trauma experts recommend engaging in refresher training due to skill decay. Performance in hands-on techniques, such as applying a tourniquet or packing a deep wound, can diminish significantly without regular practice. Studies show that a person’s confidence and success rate can begin to decrease in as little as 30 days following the initial course.
The core skills of bleeding control are psychomotor tasks requiring muscle memory for rapid, effective execution under stress. The ability to quickly secure a tourniquet to stop blood flow is a time-sensitive ability that fades over time. For this reason, many recommendations suggest practicing the hands-on skills at least every one to two years.
Research indicates that the success rate of tourniquet application can be maintained best with refresher training offered every six months. Even if knowledge of the steps remains, the physical proficiency and speed required to save a life may not be retained without periodic, hands-on review. The goal of refresher training is not to re-validate a paper certificate, but to ensure the practical ability to perform life-saving actions is fully intact.
Finding Authorized Courses and Resources
For those seeking to take the initial course or refresh their skills, the official Stop the Bleed campaign website is the primary resource for locating authorized training. The courses are approved and licensed by organizations like the American College of Surgeons and the U.S. Department of Defense, which ensures standardized instruction. Using the site’s search tool allows individuals to find licensed instructors and training centers in their area.
The official training is typically a blend of lecture and hands-on practice. While a virtual lecture portion is available, an in-person skills session is required to receive the official certificate. For self-study and skill retention, the campaign offers free resources, including the “Essentials of Stop the Bleed” video. Verifying that any chosen course is delivered by an officially licensed instructor is important to guarantee the quality and accuracy of the techniques being taught.