FORT BRAGG – Twisting tourniquets and stuffing gauze aren’t normal duties for these Womack Army Medical Center Security Forces.

“You could be somewhere where there is a shooting, or somebody could just be injured in a parking lot,” said Womack Security Guard, SGT Nelly Morris.

But when tragedy strikes, minutes matter.

“The goal is to make sure everyone knows you can save a life,” said Trauma Medical Director, Dr. Tim Plackett. “All they have to do is stop the bleeding, apply the tourniquet, and pack the wound.”

The “Stop the Bleed” campaign is a White House initiative in response to more and more mass shootings happening across our country.

The training teaches non-medical personnel to stop the bleeding until the professionals arrive on the scene.

“If the first time you’re handling a tourniquet is when someone is bleeding to death in front of you, you’re not going to be thinking clear,” said Dr. Christina Riojas. “We want this to be something that you’ve already had on your mind and have had some hands on practice with.”

Now armed with the skills, these security forces say they feel confident they could stop the bleed and save a life.

“Responding on time really does make a difference,” Morris said.

Another goal of the “Stop the Bleed” campaign is to place active shooter kits, equipped with tourniquets and gauze, where they can be accessed by the public.