Bleed Control Kit Movement's Across The UK

Why Are Bleed Control Kits Vital?

Bleed control kits are vital. Every second counts in a bleeding emergency. Severe bleeding, also called catastrophic haemorrhage, can lead to death in three to five minutes. Yet ambulance response times in the UK are often longer, particularly in rural areas. According to NHS England, the average response to Category 1 calls was 8 minutes 10 seconds in March 2025, with many areas experiencing delays due to demand pressures.

This reality means that bystanders must be prepared to act. Public access bleed control kits, installed in communities, schools and workplaces, provide essential tools for anyone to manage life threatening bleeding until professional help arrives.

Bleeding emergencies can occur in many situations:

• Knife related violence

• Road traffic collisions

• Workplace accidents involving machinery

• Sporting injuries

• Falls from height or sharp objects

In the UK, knife crime remains a key driver for bleed kit campaigns. The Office for National Statistics reported over 50,000 knife-related offences in England and Wales in 2024. Tragically, many victims did not survive due to the lack of equipment at the scene.

Unlike standard first aid kits, bleed control packs contain advanced tools for catastrophic blood loss. Typical contents include:

• Windlass-style tourniquet

• Haemostatic gauze (Celox or ChitoGauze)

• Large trauma dressings

• Vented chest seal for chest wounds

• Trauma shears, nitrile gloves and a foil blanket

• CPR face shield and clear step-by-step instructions

These items are carefully selected to be used by members of the public, even without medical training. When placed alongside public access defibrillators, they create a comprehensive emergency response solution.

---

The UK Charities Leading the Way

Several charities and community groups across the UK are spearheading the movement to make bleed control kits as commonplace as defibrillators. Their work is saving lives and raising awareness of the importance of rapid intervention.

---

1. Control the Bleed- The Daniel Baird Foundation

The Daniel Baird Foundation was founded after the fatal stabbing of 26-year-old Daniel Baird in Birmingham in 2017. Daniel died because there was no bleeding control equipment nearby. His family channelled their grief into action, creating a charity to provide public access bleed control kits nationwide.

To date, the foundation has installed over 30,000 kits across the UK.

They can be found in:

• Repurposed telephone boxes

• Schools and universities

• Shopping centres

• Pubs and nightclubs

• Transport hubs and bus stations

Each kit is housed in a weatherproof, locked cabinet. During an emergency, the public can call 999 to obtain an access code from the ambulance service.

Real World Impact

In Bristol, one of the charity’s bleed control kits was used to save a young boy who had split is leg open. The kit had only been installed weeks earlier.

The Daniel Baird Foundation also campaigns for bleed control education in schools and workplaces. Their training sessions are empowering more people to act when it matters most.

---

2. The Connor Brown Trust- Community Protection in Sunderland

The Connor Brown Trust was created in memory of 18 year old Connor Brown, who lost his life in Sunderland in 2019 after a senseless knife attack. His family established the trust to raise awareness of knife crime and to supply bleed control kits in high-risk areas.

Key Achievements:

• Installation of bleed control kits in Sunderland city centre, schools and sports grounds

• Partnerships with local businesses to sponsor cabinets

• Community workshops teaching young people about the dangers of knife crime

Each Connor Brown Trust bleed kit includes tourniquets, haemostatic gauze, trauma shears and user-friendly instructions. The trust also maintains the kits, ensuring they remain fully stocked and ready for use.

---

3. KnifeSavers- Created by NHS Trauma Experts

The KnifeSavers initiative was founded by NHS trauma doctors and nurses at Liverpool’s Aintree University Hospital. Their vision is simple: to give every member of the public the tools and confidence to save lives during bleeding emergencies.

KnifeSavers focuses on deploying bleed control kits in high-risk areas, especially city centres and nightlife districts where incidents are more likely to occur. They also run free training events across Merseyside, teaching communities how to use tourniquets, pack wounds and apply chest seals.

Their outreach campaigns have educated thousands of young people about the consequences of knife crime and the importance of intervention.

---

4. JP8 Fund- A Legacy of Lifesaving Action

The JP8 Fund was created to honour the memory of 17-year-old Jamie Piggott, who was fatally stabbed in Coventry in 2021. Jamie’s family established the fund to raise money for public access bleed control kits in Coventry and Warwickshire.

JP8 Achievements:

• Placement of bleed control kits in schools, parks and community centres

• Collaboration with Coventry City Council and West Midlands Police to identify priority locations

• Fundraising events to support ongoing maintenance and expansion

Each JP8 Fund bleed control kit includes tourniquets, haemostatic dressings and easy-to-follow instructions designed for bystanders.

---

Combining Defibrillators with Bleed Control Kits

At Defib Supplies, we advocate for a holistic approach to emergency preparedness. Combining defibrillators and bleed control kits in one place ensures that communities are equipped for both cardiac and trauma emergencies.

---

How to Get Started with Bleed Control Preparedness

1. Assess your risk areas, identify high footfall or high-risk locations

2. Install bleed control kits, ideally alongside defibrillators for comprehensive coverage

3. Register with local ambulance services so 999 operators can guide callers

4. Train staff and volunteers in bleeding control techniques

5. Maintain and monitor kits regularly to ensure they are ready when needed

---

Building a Safer Future

Public access bleed control kits are saving lives across the UK. Thanks to the dedication of the Daniel Baird Foundation, the Connor Brown Trust, KnifeSavers and the JP8 Fund, communities now have the means to act in critical situations.

At Defib Supplies, we are proud to support this lifesaving movement. Our range of bleed kits and defibrillators provides everything needed to prepare for the unexpected.

Make your workplace, school or community safer today. Contact us to find out more about our solutions.