Life-saving bleed kits to be installed in Plymouth's taxis
The goal is to make emergency bandages accessible whenever and wherever they’re needed
Last updated 16th Sep 2024
Life-saving equipment will be rolled out to 160 Plymouth cabs thanks to a campaign from bleed kit charity RAPAID.
Plymouth is the sixth city to benefit from the scheme, with 5,000 kits already installed in cabs across the UK.
The goal is to make emergency bandages accessible whenever and wherever they’re needed across the city to treat major bleeds and wounds.
The kits are being funded in part by a £10,000 donation from global defence company Babcock.
Alex Chivers, who has served in the Special Forces and as a police fire arms officer, is the co-founder of RAPAID and has personally installed thousands of kits in cabs around the country.
He explains: “The idea is that cabs are constantly moving around city centres, and anyone can flag down a RAPAID kit and ask to use the kit. It takes just three to five minutes to bleed out, and anyone can use our military-style bandages to stop the bleed in seconds, using the simple instructions included.
“Just as defibrillators in public places can save lives and buy time in the event of a cardiac arrest, our kits can keep an injured person alive until the emergency services arrive.”
Each kit contains bandages, pressure pads and a tourniquet alongside easy-to-follow instructions.
Fred Thomas MP, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Moor View said: "I'm delighted to see RAPAID rolled out here in Plymouth with the help of Babcock.
"This is a simple idea that could save lives during emergency response and is an important addition to the work being done in our city to prevent crime and make our streets safer for residents."
Alex continues: “The cab drivers do not need to use the kits themselves, the idea is that their vehicle is where the emergency bandages kit is kept for public use anywhere in the Plymouth area, as and when needed.
“This is vital first aid for any kind of accident or incident, including road traffic collisions, terror attacks, stabbings or falls.”
The first of the kits are being installed on Monday 16th September.