THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 799
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20th September 2023
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Life-saving bleed control kits being rolled out Avon & Somerset Police are working with the NHS and
The distinctive red appliances
defibrillator supplier HeartSafe to install 144 ‘bleed kits’
are being installed on the side of
as part of a new initiative to prevent deaths from knife
existing HeartSafe defibrillators
crime – with the first being unveiled outside Keynsham
and will be instantly accessible
Library.
in an emergency. Whilst the initiative is part of the force’s work around serious violence and knife crime, the bleed control kits are also there to be used after a road traffic collision, fall, or other traumatic injury. They include trauma dressings and tourniquets to help manage
The bleed kit next to the defibrillator outside the library at Keynsham Civic Centre
Chief Inspector Mike Vass, centre, with local officers at the launch of the bleed kit in Keynsham
bleeds as well as gloves, scissors, and an instruction guide on
person is suffering from.
what to use depending on where and what type of injury the
People should always call 999 and ask for the ambulance service in a life-threatening emergency, but these kits are designed to be easy to use immediately after a medical emergency to help the injured person until an ambulance or first responder arrives. This week knife crime lead Chief Inspector Mike Vass said: “We know we cannot police our way out of serious violence, it has to be a partnership approach, not just between us and our partners in health and social care, but also with members of our communities who can play a key part in helping us. “We employ a number of different tactics to deal with knife crime and prevent it at the source but in the unfortunate event that a person is seriously injured, we hope that these kits will go some way to preventing tragic loss of life.” The project was initiated by Clive Setter from HeartSafe following their successful work in installing public defibrillators across the UK. He said: “I am pleased to announce another public safety initiative for HeartSafe, now partnering with Avon & Somerset Police assisting people suffering major blood loss wounds to receive immediate help from members of the community around them. “The bleed kits will provide some initial emergency aid to those in need before an ambulance arrives at the incident and will help to avoid a potentially tragic outcome.”
Continued on page 3
Also in this week’s issue
Waste & recycling workers in B&NES take industrial action . . . page 3
Flasher seen near Kingswood play park . . . page 4
Dismay as community bid fails to secure Crews Hole woodland . . . page 5
Controversial phone mast allowed in Longwell Green . . . page 11