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Canton Graduate Tyler Engel Gives the Gift of Life-Saving Skills to Local Schools
A community comes together to fund critical bleeding control kits for both Canton Area
school buildings.
When a medical emergency strikes, the first few minutes are the most critical. For the
Canton Area School District, those minutes are now better covered, thanks to the
dedication of a former graduate and the generosity of a remarkable group of local
donors.
Tyler Engel, a Canton Area School District alumnus, recently spearheaded a community
fundraising initiative to provide both school buildings with professional grade Stop the
Bleed kits. Through his outreach and leadership, Engel secured enough donations to
deliver kits valued at $800 each to both school buildings, a contribution that could one
day mean the difference between life and death.
What Is Stop the Bleed?
Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and program coordinated by the
American College of Surgeons under a licensing agreement with the U.S. Department
of Defense. Its mission is simple but urgent: empower bystanders to act quickly and
confidently when someone is severely bleeding.
Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death in trauma situations. A
person can lose a fatal amount of blood within minutes, making immediate intervention,
even by a trained bystander, essential. Stop the Bleed exists so that anyone nearby
during an emergency can step in and help before professional first responders arrive.
What’s in the Kit?
Each Stop the Bleed kit is a portable, compact system designed to address major
bleeding and trauma. The kits provided to Canton schools each include 8 individual
triage kits, a portable pack, and a clear mountable container for easy wall access.
Each triage kit is stocked with the following life-saving tools:
● C-A-T Tourniquet — The gold-standard prehospital tourniquet, used to rapidly
stop severe bleeding on limbs.
● Compressed/Hemostatic Gauze — Used to pack wounds at the source,
especially in areas where a tourniquet can’t reach, such as the shoulder, groin, or
neck. Hemostatic gauze includes an agent that accelerates the body’s natural
clotting process.
● Emergency Trauma Dressing (ETD) — Applied over a packed wound to
maintain pressure; can also serve as a makeshift sling or splint.
● Trauma Shears — Heavy-duty scissors to quickly cut away clothing and access
an injury.
● Mini Sharpie Marker — Used to record the time a tourniquet was applied, a
critical detail for incoming EMS personnel.
● Gloves — Personal protective equipment so responders can help others while
protecting themselves.
● Bleeding Control Instructions — Step-by-step guidance to walk even an
untrained bystander through the proper emergency response.
● Chest Seal — Used to seal penetrating chest wounds, preventing dangerous air
from being drawn in around the lungs.
● Hypothermia Blanket — A survival blanket to keep a trauma patient warm while
awaiting emergency services.
A Growing National Movement
The placement of these kits in Canton’s schools reflects a broader national trend. The
ACS Stop the Bleed program advocates for legislation that helps increase access to
bleeding control education and kits across the country. That advocacy is producing real
results:
The Improving Police CARE Act was passed into law in late 2025, allowing law
enforcement to purchase bleeding control kits through the Byrne JAG grant program
and directing the Department of Justice to work with the American College of Surgeons
to set trauma kit standards.
Virginia passed House Bill 1700 in March 2025, requiring bleeding control kits to be
placed in all public elementary and high schools in easily accessible locations, along
with a requirement for school boards to develop and implement bleeding control
programs.
Connecticut passed bleeding control legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support,
making it the 15th state to enact such a law.
Canton’s proactive step puts the district ahead of the curve with plans to train staff in
Stop the Bleed in the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
Thank You to Our Donors
Tyler Engel’s initiative would not have been possible without the tremendous generosity
of the following individuals and organizations who believed in this cause and made it a
reality:
● Canton Moose
● Charles and Linda Thomas
● CHS Class of 2025
● Newelltown United Methodist Church
● Ralston United Methodist Church
● Ralston Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary
● Red Run Rod and Gun Club
● Ron and Linda Haldeman
Their contributions represent the very best of community spirit, neighbors investing in
the safety of their schools and the well-being of every student, staff member, and visitor
who walks through the doors.
What You Can Do
Having the kits in place is only part of the equation. Stop the Bleed training is available
to the public and teaches participants how to use each component quickly and correctly.
Community members, parents, and staff are encouraged to seek out a certified Stop the
Bleed training course to be prepared if the moment ever arises.
To Tyler Engel and every donor who made this possible: Thank You. Canton is a safer
community because of your efforts.
For more information about Stop the Bleed kits and training, visit stopthebleed.org.