Working in a World of Random Violence
A simple step could save a life…
Most of us in the US live in safety. It is highly unlikely that any one of us will be injured or killed today. However, we see an ongoing stream of highly-publicized violent crimes. In just the last few weeks:
September 20 - Steven DeCesare was shot and killed and others injured at a country club in Nashua, New Hampshire
September 10 - Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at a college campus in Orem, Utah
August 27 - 2 children were shot and killed and 17 were injured during a Mass at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 22 – Iryna Zarutska was stabbed and killed while commuting on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina
These high-profile tragedies are just a tiny fraction of the thousands in the US who suffered from violence on each of those days. Data from the FBI show there were nearly 1.25 million violent crimes in 2023 (the last year with complete data). When combined with hospital data from the CDC on injuries from assault, this equates to approximately 3,400 to 4,400 people injured from violent crime in 2023, every day. Roughly 50 to 60 people were killed in 2023, every day.
While violent criminal acts grab our attention viscerally, nearly all of us face an even greater risk daily.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 2.44 million people were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2023, alongside 40,901 deaths. On average, that means roughly 6,600 people were injured and ~110 people were killed in crashes in 2023, every day.
Our Odds
Looking at these together – both violent crimes and vehicular accidents – odds are about 1 in 29,500 that an American will need medical attention due to violence or vehicle crash on any given day. This translates to:
1 in 972 every month
1 in 81 every year
1 in 9 every decade
So, while it is unlikely that you or I personally will be injured today, it is certain that thousands of Americans will be.
Change is Slow
In my industry, insurance, many are building solutions to help address these risks of injury or death. We’re working to equip our policyholders with better information and technology to detect, prevent, monitor, and mitigate loss. On a broader, societal level, our elected leaders and policymakers are working to reduce crime and improve public safety.
Change, however, is slow. Today, we must live with these risks. We feel helpless, especially in the face of random violence. It’s tempting to just bury these concerns and hope for the best. However, we can’t afford to do this. After all, we in the insurance industry would never advise our policyholders to simply ignore risk.
We can do more. I encourage you to take some time to consider what you can do as an individual, today, to help prevent these incidents/accidents or respond more effectively when they occur.
A Simple Step That Can Save a Life
I’ll start. Here’s a simple step that could save a life:
Carry a “stop-the-bleed” kit everywhere you go.
Victims of violence or accidents often succumb to blood loss from their injuries. They can bleed out in minutes. Taking immediate action – by applying pressure, wound packing, or using a tourniquet – can greatly improve the odds of survival, by as much as 6-fold.
A basic stop-the-bleed or “bleeding control” kit is compact, about the size of a paperback novel, and typically contains:
A tourniquet
Gauze with a pressure dressing
A few basic first aid supplies
These kits can be assembled or purchased from trusted organizations such as North American Rescue, the Red Cross, Rescue Essentials, Stop the Bleed, and others. These companies also provide training and instructional materials, including short videos that demonstrate how to use these kits to control bleeding.
How to use Direct Pressure to Control Life-Threatening Bleeding (YouTube)
How to use a Tourniquet to Control Life-Threatening Bleeding (YouTube)
Take Action, Today
Many of us travel frequently – especially during this fall conference season. We journey long distances by automobile and plane, stay in unfamiliar locales, and gather in large groups that are viewed by some as desirable targets for crime.
Toss a stop-the-bleed kit into your purse, backpack, or laptop bag
before you leave for your next conference or meeting.
Keep it with you every day.
It’s only a small step, but it could be the critical factor that makes a difference and saves a life.