First aid kits including military grade dressings and tourniquets should be installed in venues such as football stadiums and train stations to save lives following stabbings and terrorist attacks, experts have said.
St John Ambulance, UK counter-terrorism police and citizenAID, a group set up by civilian and military doctors, are calling for the public access trauma (PAcT) kits to be installed in key locations.
The equipment could be used by members of the public to provide first aid during an ongoing terrorist attack before paramedics are able to get to the scene, police said.
St John Ambulance’s medical director Dr Lynn Thomas wants the kits to become “as commonplace and widely accepted as public access defibrillators”.
The equipment is being publicised as part of new standards for first aid provision for the seriously injured drawn up by the groups.
Senior counter-terrorism officer Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Orchard said: “It is vital that we raise awareness of how simple first aid, with appropriate equipment, can improve a person’s chances of survival in a whole range of scenarios.
“It is hoped that the new standards for PAcT first aid kits will assist when people suffer the most serious of injuries.
“This is particularly relevant in the event of a live or ongoing terrorist incident, when first aid may need to be administered by the public until first responders are able to reach any casualties.”
As well as the terrorist stabbings seen in recent years in the UK, the severity of violence in street knife attacks has increased.
In parts of the UK St John Ambulance is training teenagers from the age of 14 to treat stab wounds.