The newest installation at Glynneath RFC is part of a wider rollout across Swansea, Neath, and Port Talbot, with 260 kits now in place, including at every secondary school in the region.
The initiative, spearheaded by High Sheriff of West Glamorgan, Melanie James JP, in partnership with Heartbeat Trust UK, is a first for Wales, providing comprehensive emergency bleed control provision similar to the 20,000 kits deployed across England.
Max Boyce, who is in support of the installation at Glynneath RFC, said: “I am only too glad to help raise awareness of this excellent initiative. These kits will undoubtedly save lives, and it’s fantastic to see them being made widely available in our communities.”
The Critical Bleed Control Kits, housed in rebranded multi-trauma defibrillator boxes, contain military-grade equipment designed to help manage catastrophic bleeding before emergency services arrive. Each kit includes a tourniquet, chest seal, Celox gauze, foil blanket, shears, gloves, a pen, and clear instructions, ensuring that anyone on the scene can provide essential first aid in the crucial minutes following an injury.
The initiative is being widely supported by emergency services, as well as City and County of Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot Council, and the Police and Crime Commissioner. Free community training sessions on how to use the kits are available through Heartbeat Trust UK and St John Cymru.
High Sheriff Melanie James JP, who joined Max Boyce and Henry Gilbert of Heartbeat Trust UK for a tour of Glynneath RFC, expressed her commitment to expanding the initiative: “As High Sheriff, I was keen to make a fundamental and lasting difference to our community. These kits will save lives in cases of catastrophic bleeding—whether from traffic or workplace accidents, glass injuries, impalements, dog bites, knife wounds, and more. It is crucial to call 999 immediately, but these kits will bridge the care gap until emergency services arrive. I am delighted to announce my aim of reaching 350 kits in West Glamorgan by April 2025.”
