AUSTIN, Texas — A new study shows tourniquets save lives when used to treat civilian trauma victims before they reach the hospital.

Trauma researchers say tourniquets help to stop blood flow in the arms or legs and officials say you don't need medical experience to apply one.

"It's an important thing because tourniquets are a simple application they are not very complex devices. They are simple devices that can be applied by regular people with little training to do so. And they can be safely and effectively applied to patient with severe bleeding,” said Dr. Pedro Teixeira. 

The study showed bleeding victims who get tourniquets are six times more likely to survive.

According to Teixeira, efforts to teach civilians life-saving techniques are a part of the Stop the Bleed campaign which was created by the White House after the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting in Connecticut.

WATCH DR. TEIXEIRA EXPLAIN HOW TO APPLY A TOURNIQUET: