Two free “Stop the Bleed” classes will be offered in the Memorial Learning Center on the Springfield Memorial Hospital campus this Saturday.

The first session of the interactive class will be held from 10 a.m. to noon; the second follows from 1 to 3 p.m. Both classes will be held in the 2A Curtis Theatre Classroom of the Memorial Learning Center, 228 W. Miller St., at the southeast corner of Rutledge and Miller streets.

“Stop the Bleed” trains participants to recognize life-threatening bleeding and to respond quickly and effectively using three methods of bleeding control.

Seating is limited to 50 persons per session. Participants can register for either session. The deadline to register is Friday (June 10). To register, visit memorial.health/events.

“An injury can cause a person to bleed to death in less than five minutes,” said Ellie Lansing, a registered nurse and trauma nurse specialist who is the manager of the trauma program at Springfield Memorial Hospital. “Life-threatening bleeds can happen at home, at work or in the community from either a natural or intentional wound. This class will help the public learn how to act immediately to save themselves or someone else.”

Participants can be any age and should dress for active participation. Each participant will receive a free bleeding-control kit with tourniquet, thanks to a grant from the Springfield Memorial Foundation.

Free parking is available in the parking garage south of the Memorial Learning Center at Rutledge and Carpenter streets.