In the world of emergency medicine, there is a phrase we live by: “Life-threatening bleeding doesn’t wait for an ambulance.”
Just this past February, a powerful reminder of this reality made headlines in Minnesota. Rosaline Groven was at home when a horrific accident occurred: her husband’s arm was severed by a hay baler. In a situation where most people would freeze, Rosaline acted. Using a tourniquet from a bleeding control kit she had on hand, she applied it immediately, stopping the catastrophic blood loss before emergency responders could even reach their rural property.
Doctors later confirmed the obvious: without that tourniquet and Rosaline’s quick thinking, her husband would not have survived the trip to the hospital.
Why This Matters for You
The Groven story isn’t just a “freak accident” headline; it is a testament to the power of civilian response. Whether it’s a farming accident, a car crash, or a tactical situation, the leading cause of preventable death following trauma is uncontrolled hemorrhage.
A person can bleed out from a femoral artery or a major limb injury in as little as three minutes. In many communities, the average EMS response time is 8 to 12 minutes. That gap—those “hidden minutes”—is where lives are either saved or lost.
Take the Next Step: Join Our Upcoming TECC Class
Knowing how to buy a tourniquet is a start. Knowing how to use it under pressure—while managing a scene and prioritizing care—is what saves lives.
Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) is designed for exactly these high-stress moments. While “Stop the Bleed” gives you the basics, our TECC course dives deeper into the “Tactical” side of medicine, teaching you:
- Hemorrhage Control: Mastery of tourniquets, wound packing, and hemostatic agents.
- Airway & Respiration: Managing chest seals and airway obstructions.
- The TECC Phases of Care: Understanding when to treat and when to move (Direct Threat vs. Indirect Threat).
- Scenario-Based Drills: Putting your skills to the test in simulated high-stress environments.
Don’t wait for a tragedy to realize you aren’t prepared. Like Rosaline Groven, you can be the difference between a tragedy and a survival story.
[Sign Up for the Upcoming TECC Class Here] Date: April 25 – 26, 2026 Location: Pimlico Fire Department, 2854 Old Highway 52, Moncks Corner, SC Limited Spots Available – Register Today!
*** ### Reference for the News Story:
- Source: ACS Stop the Bleed / News Reports (Feb 2026)
- Incident: Rosaline Groven using a tourniquet to save her husband after a hay baler accident.