Kits designed to save lives before paramedics arrive
The kits, which contain military-grade emergency medical supplies, are designed to help members of the public treat traumatic injuries before emergency services reach the scene.
They are now available in high-footfall locations including city and town centres, community hubs, council buildings, leisure centres, and all 14 of Swansea’s comprehensive schools.
Each CBC kit includes a tourniquet, haemostatic gauze, fox chest seal, traumafix dressing, gloves, foil blanket, and bilingual instruction card — all packed for rapid use in emergencies such as road accidents, workplace injuries, dog bites, or knife wounds.
Community-led initiative backed by council funding
The rollout was spearheaded by Melanie James, last year’s High Sheriff of West Glamorgan, who partnered with Heartbeat Trust UK to build the network.
Swansea Council has funded 100 of the kits and previously contributed nearly £200,000 to establish a city-wide defibrillator network — making Swansea the UK’s first “Defib-friendly City” with more than 650 defibrillators now in place.
Many of the new bleed control kits have been co-located with defibrillators to make them easy to find and access.
“You never want them used — but they save lives”
Melanie James said:
“I’m very grateful for the incredible support we’ve received from Swansea Council, our councillors, local businesses and private individuals. These kits have a universal application and contain clever supplies that will and do save lives.”
She added that free community training is available to help residents feel confident using the kits if needed.
Council praises partnership
Council Leader Rob Stewart said:
“I’m very grateful to Melanie and to Heartbeat Trust UK for all they are doing in making Swansea a safer place for everyone. The expansion of this scheme means more residents and visitors will have access to life-saving equipment when it is needed most.”
