Sussex bleed kit training helps to prevent knife crime deaths
Bleed Control kits have been installed across Sussex as part of an initiative by the Police and Crime Commissioner
Bleed Control kits have been installed across Sussex as part of an initiative by the Police and Crime Commissioner in a bid to prevent deaths from knife crime in the county.
A programme funded by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, 'Project Youth', will also be offering young people aged between 10-18 years old to take part in training courses which have been developed as a result of Project Youth founder, Carl Scott and his team.
The kits contain special bandages and tourniquets which the public can use to control bleeding until an ambulance arrives.
They are now located in Worthing, Bexhill, Hastings, and Crawley with more installation sites across Sussex being planned soon.
Carl Scott, Found of Project Youth said: “It was important that we didn’t just install the kits and leave it at that – whilst all kits have detailed instructions on how to use the equipment, our training sessions will help people to feel more confident in how to use them should they ever have to.”
Last month, Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne joined Carl Scott and members of his team at a Bleed Control training session for Sussex Probation staff, who are the first group of statutory service workers in the county to receive the training from Project Youth.
During the session, staff were taught about why the bleed kits are installed, the contents of them and how to use what’s inside the bag. Risks and dangers of a catastrophic bleed, how to pack wounds, how to use a chest seal, gauze and tourniquet were also covered.
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “I’m delighted that funding from my Safer In Sussex Community Fund has enabled Project Youth to host some of their vital training and intervention sessions.
“Although we hope that the public won’t ever need to use the bleed kits because Sussex still remains a safe place in which to live, we mustn’t ignore the fact that knife crime does happen in our county.
“It’s extremely dangerous to carry a knife and the consequences can be catastrophic so safety measures like these will help to save lives.”
Carl Scott continued: “We are thankful for being awarded funds from the Sussex PCC to make this happen as it’s an amazing scheme which we will be continuing now and into the future.
“Moving forward, we plan to train more young people as well as adults and continue to install more cabinets across Sussex whilst still running our mentoring scheme where we can divert young people away from the risks of serious violence and into positive diversionary activities.”