Bleeding Control Kits: The Next Essential Public Safety Tool Coming to Australia
Just as AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) have become commonplace in public spaces, a new vital tool is gaining traction globally: Public Access Bleeding Control Kits. These kits, designed to empower bystanders to stop severe bleeding in an emergency, are rapidly becoming a standard safety measure in the USA and UK, and it’s only a matter of time before they see similar widespread adoption across Australia.
A Growing Trend in the Northern Hemisphere
In the USA, the “Stop the Bleed” campaign has been instrumental in promoting the availability and use of these kits. Driven by government initiatives, medical professionals, and public safety organisations, bleeding control kits are now frequently found alongside AEDs in schools, airports, stadiums, shopping centres, and workplaces. The understanding is clear: severe bleeding can be life-threatening within minutes, and immediate action by anyone present can dramatically improve survival rates.
The UK has also seen a significant increase in the deployment of these kits, often in response to public safety concerns. Emergency services, charities, and community groups are actively advocating for their placement in high-traffic areas. Training programs are also on the rise, teaching ordinary citizens how to apply tourniquets and wound dressings, turning them into immediate lifesavers.
Why the Rise in Popularity?
The popularity of these kits stems from a stark reality: uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death in trauma. Whether from accidents, natural disasters, or other emergencies, the first few minutes after a severe injury are critical. Paramedics often face delays in reaching a scene, and a bystander equipped with the right tools and basic knowledge can make all the difference.
These kits typically contain essential items such as:
- Tourniquets: To stop arterial bleeding on limbs.
- Pressure dressings: To apply direct pressure to wounds.
- Gloves: For infection control.
- Instructions: Simple, clear guides for use.
Australia’s Turn is Coming
While Australia has robust emergency services, the proactive adoption of public access bleeding control kits is still in its early stages compared to the USA and UK. However, with increasing awareness campaigns, the success seen internationally, and a growing emphasis on community preparedness, it’s highly anticipated that these kits will soon become a more common sight.
We expect to see:
- Increased public awareness about the importance of immediate bleeding control.
- More businesses and public venues installing these kits.
- Training initiatives empowering more Australians with basic bleeding control skills.
- Policy and legislative discussions that may encourage or mandate their placement in certain locations.
Just as we’ve learned to locate and use AEDs, learning how to use a bleeding control kit could one day save a life in our own community. Being prepared means being able to act when seconds count. Keep an eye out – these vital kits are set to become the next essential component of public safety in Australia.
1300MEDICS recommends the Rapidstop Public Access Bleeding Control Cabinet.
Public Access Bleeding Control Station at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC)
Training exercise showing the life saving interventions possible because of public access bleeding control during mass-stabbing emergency
Rapidstop Public Access Bleeding Control Station available from 1300MEDICS
