The gun stops the threat. The tourniquet saves the life. Gunshot wounds bleed fast — you have 3–5 minutes before hemorrhagic shock becomes fatal. If you carry, you need to know how to stop bleeding. Start with Stop the Bleed. Add TCCC when you are ready for the full curriculum.
Stop the Bleed
American College of Surgeons
Free2 hours
Tourniquet application, wound packing, pressure dressings
Find a course →TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care)
Various
$200–5001–2 days
Military-derived trauma care; most applicable for armed citizens
Find a course →TECC (Tactical Emergency Casualty Care)
C-TECC, various
$200–4001–2 days
Civilian adaptation of TCCC; mass casualty events
Find a course →Wilderness First Responder
NOLS, SOLO
$700–90070–80 hours
Extended care when EMS is delayed
Find a course →CPR/AED + First Aid
Red Cross, AHA
$50–1004–8 hours
Foundation skills everyone should have
Find a course →