Emergency first-aid equipment installed in nine libraries across the county as part of ‘Save a Life September’ initiative.
Worcestershire County Council’s public health team have paid for first aid ‘trauma kits’ to be installed at nine libraries across the region, with plans to install further such emergency equipment at other public sites.
Each kit is designed to help people help stop someone bleeding while they wait for paramedics to arrive at the scene. The kits include trauma dressings, chest seals and tourniquets for lay use. Anyone can access these kits in an emergency and don’t need to be a trained or qualified First Aider to use them – though that is, of course, useful.
Kits are now available at The Hive on the University of Worcester’s city campus, as well as at libraries in Bromsgrove, Evesham, Kidderminster, Malvern, Redditch, Stourport, Warndon and Woodrow. The locations of these trauma kits are also mapped onto ambulance service computer systems, meaning that people can be advised to use a nearby kit while an ambulance is on route.
The initiative is being launched as part of ‘Save a Life September’. All this month, St John Ambulance has been working to teach 50,000 people how to save a life threatened by choking, severe bleeding or cardiac arrest, with training events taking place across the country and a free guide available. For more information, see St John Ambulance: Save a Life September.
Cllr David Ross, Cabinet Member for Health and Well-being at Worcestershire County Council, says: ‘This investment by Public Health in trauma kits will truly save lives. In an emergency situation, early intervention makes all the difference because casualties can die of blood loss within minutes. This Save a Life September, I’d encourage everyone to check their First Aid kits are up to date and learn or re-fresh their First Aid skills. You never know when you might need them.’
Cllr Karen May, Cabinet Member for Communities at Worcestershire County Council, adds: ‘I am so pleased that we have installed these potentially life-saving trauma kits in libraries, it really adds to their role as trusted, accessible and safe community hubs.’
In related news:
Great expectations: Care homes should just be looking after vulnerable kids
Devil in the details: Labour defends cuts to winter fuel allowance