A UK healthcare provider is urging businesses to install specialised emergency first aid kits to enable the public to respond effectively in the event of a mass casualty incident.
On 31st July, Manchester-based Steroplast Healthcare, in collaboration with Manchester City Council and CityCo, supplied 180 Public Access Trauma (PAcT) first aid kits to hotels, bars, and restaurants throughout the city as part of a new initiative aimed at preparing for the worst.
The PAcT kit, designed to treat life-threatening injuries, is intended for use by anyone, even those without first aid training. It was developed in response to the need for trauma supplies when the scale of a mass casualty event leads to a delayed response from paramedics, a period known as the ‘care gap’.
Created by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NATsCO), the PAcT kit provides essential first aid for severe injuries, including specialist supplies to control major bleeding and assist unresponsive casualties with hygienic CPR. Steroplast’s PAcT kits also come with comprehensive instructions and video guidance accessible via QR codes.
The kits are a direct response to the recommendations of the Manchester Arena Bombing Inquiry and the dedicated advocacy of Figen Murray OBE, mother of Martyn Hett, a victim of the 2017 attack.
King Charles’ recent addresses to Parliament, calling for the adoption of anti-terrorism measures, have further underscored the importance of such initiatives. The recent tragic knife attack in Southport highlighted the need for critical injury supplies on-site and demonstrated the willingness of the public to assist casualties in emergencies.
The forthcoming introduction of Martyn’s Law would mandate public venues to implement counter-terrorism measures and may require businesses to demonstrate adequate safety preparations, including the provision of trauma supplies.
Steroplast Healthcare Managing Director Adam Brown highlighted the importance of the new life-saving PAcT kits:
“We’ve created our PAcT kit following NATsCO’s guidance and expert medical input. Research shows that immediate first aid can drastically improve outcomes in emergency situations. While the care gap is often unavoidable, key first aid measures can make the difference between life and death.”
A casualty can bleed out in 3–5 minutes. In the aftermath of the Manchester Arena Bombing, some 237 people were physically injured. Despite paramedics’ best efforts, many had to wait hours for treatment as emergency services were overwhelmed by the large-scale incident. First aid supplies were wholly inadequate, leading victims to use shirts, coats, belts, and handbag straps as tourniquets. Among those injured at the arena, some were trained in first aid and did their best to help others, but with a scarcity of supplies, casualties suffered catastrophic bleeding and lay freezing on the floor for long periods before being transported to hospital.
While preventative measures and emergency service preparedness must lead the anti-terrorism approach, being ready to address the care gap can be life-changing. It acts as a contingency plan and a collaborative effort between businesses, emergency services, and the public to empower anyone at the scene to provide immediate life-saving first aid.
“We’ve seen members of the public be heroic and help each other in times of crisis. We must give them everything they need to provide first aid until professionals can step in. Businesses can do this by installing a PAcT kit on-site. PAcT kits are compact and comprehensive. You can install them and all but forget about them. But if something happens, it’s a choice you’ll never regret making,” said Adam.
Manchester City Council has taken a reassuring first step towards this level of preparedness, but Steroplast stresses that we cannot wait for legislation to mandate that all relevant businesses require first aid trauma supplies and that the public should have access to what they need at all times to be better prepared at the critical moment. Businesses can easily order a PAcT kit from Steroplast and equip themselves today.
