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Every May, communities across the country recognize National Trauma Awareness Month, a time to raise public awareness about traumatic injuries, promote injury prevention, and honor the professionals who care for trauma patients. Initiated in 1988 by the American Trauma Society, this observance serves as a platform for health care organizations to educate communities about the causes, impacts and prevention of trauma.

This year’s theme, “Model Safety Every Day: For A Stronger Tomorrow,� emphasizes that injury prevention starts with each of us incorporating safety into our daily routines and creating lasting habits that protect ourselves and influence those around us.

With its diverse landscapes, varied weather conditions and natural beauty, northern Arizona is the ideal destination for outdoor recreation activities, like riding Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs), such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to take in the beautiful scenery. Although these vehicles can be exhilarating, understanding the importance of ATV safety is important for the health and wellbeing of the community.

ATVs are powerful, heavy machines designed for off-road use. While they offer recreation, utility and adventure, they also pose serious safety risks when not operated properly. Every year over 135,000 thousand people are injured and over 700 die while riding ATVs in the United States. One third of these deaths are children ages 16 and under.

Prevention: Proven practices that save lives

The good news is that many ATV-related injuries and deaths can be prevented with proper precautions. During National Trauma Awareness Month, trauma professionals and safety advocates call for increased public education and stronger adherence to the following safety guidelines:

• Always wear a helmet and protective gear: A properly-fitted helmet is the most effective protection against fatal head injuries. Gloves, boots, long sleeves, and eye protection also help reduce injury severity.
• Use the right ATV for the rider: Children under 16 should use age-appropriate models designed for their size and skill level.
• Take a safety course: Riders of all ages should take an ATV safety course to learn about vehicle operation, handling and terrain navigation. (Find courses at )
• Stay sober: Alcohol and drugs greatly increase crash risk. Never ride impaired.
• Never carry passengers on single-rider ATVs: Extra riders can throw off balance, making rollovers more likely.
• Stay off public roads: ATVs are not built for pavement—ride only on designated off-road trails or private land to avoid vehicle collisions.

Northern Arizona Healthcare Trauma Services

As northern Arizona's only state-designated Level 1 Trauma Center, Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) is the community’s best source for lifesaving care. Our teams support over 1,700 adult and pediatric trauma patients every year. While most hospitals offer emergency services, only designated trauma centers such as FMC are equipped to care for the most life-threatening injuries.

Minutes can mean the difference between life and death when a traumatic injury occurs, and NAH has eight helicopters, one fixed-wing airplane and 20 ambulances ready to provide emergency transport. Additionally, NAH’s dedicated team of trauma surgeons, nurses, technicians, anesthesiologists and other specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready to care for trauma at a moment's notice.

The NAH Trauma Services Department is committed not only to providing the best trauma care, but to preventing accidents from occurring in the first place. That's why NAH’s injury prevention outreach coordinator Shawn Bowker works with community partners to reduce preventable injuries. Her major injury prevention focuses include fall prevention; motor vehicle, ATV, and bicycle safety; and Stop the Bleed. In these areas, Bowker has researched community statistics and prevention measures, making huge strides in reducing injuries, educating and training the northern Arizona community.

May 22 is National Stop the Bleed Day. Stop the Bleed is a national public health initiative aimed at training and empowering bystanders to take immediate, life-saving action to stop severe bleeding in emergencies before professional help arrives. The first minutes following a traumatic injury are crucial in saving a life and uncontrolled bleeding can result in death within minutes. By learning how to Stop the Bleed, you’ll gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively to control bleeding using three quick techniques. Take the Stop the Bleed training course and become empowered to make a life-or-death difference in a bleeding emergency. NAH operates a Stop the Bleed community training program, spearheaded by Bowker, to help educate our region on how to save a person’s life in an emergency.

National Trauma Awareness Month reminds us that the most effective trauma care begins before an injury occurs. By prioritizing injury prevention through education and community engagement, we can reduce trauma’s impact on individuals and society. Together, we can build a safer, healthier future, one preventive step at a time.

To learn more about NAH’s Trauma Services, including injury prevention and Stop the Bleed, please visit .