Iowans are being encouraged to take a free, hour-long course that will prepare them to respond in an emergency situation and help someone who is bleeding severely. Registered Nurse Kelly Hilsabeck, a trauma injury prevention coordinator at Gundersen Health, says the program called Stop The Bleed is designed for everyday people with no background in health care.

Studies find the average national EMS response time is between seven and ten minutes, so it’s vital to have people ready to jump in and help until professionals arrive.

Hilsabeck says the website StopTheBleed.org offers a “Find a Course” tool that will show how to locate the closest free class. The site also offers specialized first aid kits for your home, car and workplace.

Courses are being offered in Iowa this month in Fairfax and Sergeant Bluff, with more classes being added routinely. Gundersen Health System has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.