Send a letter in support of AB 2260 to Assembly Appropriations Committee

Dear Members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee,

I wish to express my very strongest support for AB-2260 Emergency response: trauma kits. There is no greater tragedy than a patient death resulting from bleeding that could have been prevented with simple and easy to learn techniques.  The concept of rapid bleeding control by immediate citizen responders is well proven and mimics prior legislative response to cardiac death with installation of AEDs. 

Trauma kits are low cost, mass produced, are easily accessible on-line from a variety of sources, and do not expire. The estimated cost is $40 per kit (including expected ongoing current inflation). Large volume discounts are available to purchasers. The greatest contributing cost of the kit is from the required certified tourniquet to ensure durability and effectiveness. Other equipment (gauze, gloves, mask) have been selected to reduce the overall costs including of the initial purchase, reduction of needed restocking fees, and elimination of costs due to expiration.

Installation costs are minimal, as the kits can be stored in already installed AED storage systems/boxes – eliminating yet another barrier to cost.

AB 2260 puts tools in our schools and communities that allow trained bystanders to render life-saving aid to people of all ages and circumstances. More people are trained every day, and large members of the public are already a deployed bleeding control force whether of medical, EMS, fire, law enforcement, or military.  And training is FREE to the public, with over 1.5 million Americans already taught how to “Stop the Bleed”.

California has an opportunity to lead the nation in providing these low cost, highly effective materials and tools to the general public to saves lives. The costs of war are horrific, and yet yield advances to society teaching us lessons in medical care and results in lives saved. Bleeding control and tourniquets are an example of this. Our military are trained in these life saving techniques and after repeated and tragic civilian mass casualties, and specifically emanating out of the Sandy Hook School shooting, the national “Stop the Bleed” program was developed. It is widely endorsed by the White House, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the US Department of Defense, the American College of Surgeons and leading healthcare, fire, law enforcement and EMS agencies, among many other national, state and local organizations.

It is time California leads the way in recognizing this important and affordable public health measure to save lives and Stop the Bleed.

Please Vote “Aye” on AB 2260: Emergency Response: trauma kits