LAPLACE — All members of the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office attended cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification training, as well as Stop The Bleed training, this month at Patrol Headquarters in LaPlace.

The training teaches participants how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), a portable electronic device that can restart the heart and how to perform CPR, which pumps blood to vital organs.

In addition, Stop The Bleed training teaches participants simple medical care that stops hemorrhaging.

Officers were trained to stop serious bleeding caused by gunshot or other severe wounds using gauze and tourniquets. Many officers are now equipped with a tourniquet and gauze kit to carry while on duty. Sheriff Mike Tregre said this CPR and Stop The Bleed training is part of a continuing education program for officers