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Valencia High School Medical Science Academy Students use a pressure-sensing device to practice applying pressure to wounds.
Valencia High School Medical Science Academy Students use a pressure-sensing device to practice applying pressure to wounds. Photo by Jade Aubuchon/KHTS News

Valencia High Students Take Part In ‘Stop The Bleed’ Training

Freshmen students at Valencia High School took part in a “Stop The Bleed” training session on Tuesday as a part of an ongoing collaboration between the school’s career technical training Medical Science Academy (MSA) program and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

The group of 9th graders watched a formal presentation by a trauma nurse from Henry Mayo, followed by hands-on practice of applying direct pressure, packing a wound, and using a tourniquet to stop bleeding.

Joe Monteleone, a Career Technical Education (CTE) teacher at Valencia High School, facilitated the collaboration between William S. Hart District and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital to not only hold special learning opportunities for students, but also to place certified athletic trainers at each high school in the district. 

Monteleone started the Sports Medicine program in 2002, which has now developed into the Medical Science Academy.

The Valencia High School Medical Science Academy is a four-year high school program that incorporates medical knowledge into general education classes, while preparing students for a future career in the medical field, according to the website.

Valencia High School students practice packing wounds under the tutelage of a Henry Mayo Newhall Trauma Nurse.

Valencia High School students practice packing wounds under the tutelage of a Henry Mayo Newhall Trauma Nurse. Photo by Jade Aubuchon/KHTS News

“It does seem to check a few boxes for the college application that most kids aren’t able to check,” said Monteleone. “It’s a great way to have an understanding of the bigger picture. Several students have gone on to become nurses, EMTs, physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors and bioengineers.”

At least two former CTE students are currently in medical school, according to Monteleone.

“Stop the Bleed” is a national initiative designed to provide bystanders with the tools and knowledge they can use to stop life-threatening bleeding.

See Related: Hart School District Recognizes February As Career Technical Education Month

Amongst the other items spread across tables in the Valencia High School library was a mock thigh with a traumatic puncture wound, which along with a paired tablet, could keep track of the pressure applied to the wound, allowing students to practice applying the proper amount of pressure needed to prevent a patient from bleeding out until the motion is ingrained in their muscle memory.

A pressure-sensing device designed to look like a human thigh.

A pressure-sensing device designed to look like a human thigh. Photo by Jade Aubuchon/KHTS News

“It’s really useful, it helps you know that you can help a person in an emergency or a time of need,” said Khanin Tharachalit, 14. “Definitely take (the opportunity), nothing can harm you, it can help you to be more knowledgeable in how to help people.”

Combined with the local initiative spearheaded by Valencia students, “Keep The Pressure,” students, educators, and medical professionals hope to give students the tools they need to develop life-saving skills.

See Related: Santa Clarita Sisters To Introduce ‘Bleed Kits’ To Every Classroom In Hart District

MSA students Cambria Lawrence, now a sophomore at Valencia High School, and her sister, Maci, a current freshman, saw the need to make their schools safer, and they began a campaign to create potentially life-saving “bleed kits.”

In March 2019, “Keep The Pressure” kits were presented to school resource officers from the William S. Hart Union High School District in an effort to help stop dangerous levels of bleeding during an emergency.

The assembled kits include tourniquets, clotting gauze, surgical gloves and other essential items intended to stop dangerous levels of bleeding due to an accident or other trauma.

Valencia High School students practice applying tourniquets leg wounds.

Valencia High School students practice applying tourniquets to leg wounds. Photo by Jade Aubuchon/KHTS News

Funded by charitable donations, Keep the Pressure has managed to supply over 1,200 bleed kits to the William S. Hart Union High School District. In addition to their work with the schools of the Hart District, Keep the Pressure has also donated kits for each of the vehicles used by the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

The gathered students on Tuesday are set to continue their education by continuing the cycle of learning, and teaching what they have learned to 7th and 8th graders at school int eh Santa Clarita Valley, according to Monteleone.

“Even if you don’t want to go into medicine when you’re older, something like this could absolutely apply to real-life situations everywhere,” said 14-year-old Amelia Haydamack.


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Valencia High Students Take Part In ‘Stop The Bleed’ Training

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About Jade Aubuchon

A Santa Clarita native, Jade has spent her whole life involved in community outreach. After graduating from Learning Post High in 2015, she went on to College of the Canyons to pursue a double major in English and Marketing. Jade spent several years as a ballroom dance performer for a local studio and has performed at public and private events throughout Santa Clarita. As KHTS Co-News Director Jade oversees the KHTS news team, which covers all the latest news impacting Santa Clarita. Along with covering and writing her own news stories, Jade can be heard broadcasting the daily local news every weekday morning and afternoon drive-time twice an hour on KHTS 98.1FM and AM-1220. Jade is also instrumental in reporting on-the-scene local emergencies, covering them on-air and via Facebook Live and YouTube. Another dimension to Jade’s on-air skills and writing are her regular political and celebrity interviews, including her bi-monthly interview with our Congressman Mike Garcia and many other local politicians and community leaders.