Introduction
Over the past month, we’ve been contacted by many businesses looking to improve workplace safety, with defibrillators being a common topic of discussion. It’s inspiring to see organisations prioritising life-saving equipment for their premises and vehicles.
But while defibrillators are critical for cardiac emergencies, another silent killer often goes unnoticed: catastrophic bleeds. These life-threatening injuries can claim a life in under three minutes, making preparation and fast action essential.
The Clock Is Ticking: A Catastrophic Bleed Scenario
Let’s put this into perspective:
- Minute 1: A worker suffers a severe injury—a piece of machinery tears into the top of their left arm, severing an artery. Blood is spurting from the wound, and they’re screaming in pain. Nearby colleagues hear the commotion and call for a first aider. You arrive on the scene, assess the situation, and send someone to grab the first aid kit. While you wait, you try to stem the bleeding with your bare hands, but blood is everywhere, making it almost impossible to get a grip.
- Minute 2: The first aid kit finally arrives. You fumble with the dressing packets, your hands slick with blood and struggling to open the plastic wrappers. You manage to get one dressing on, but it’s too small—the blood continues to pour out. Frantically, you grab more supplies while someone nearby is calling 999.
- Minute 3: The casualty is pale, their lips turning blue. They’re no longer responding to you, and their eyes keep closing. They’re going into shock, and you’re doing everything you can to keep them alive, but panic is rising.
- Minute 4: It’s too late. They’ve lost too much blood. Their body is unresponsive, and their breathing is undetectable.
The Reality of Emergency Response Times
Ambulances aim for an 8-minute response time when a life-threatening bleed is reported. However, the reality is that in many cases, it takes longer. In some areas, like where our offices are located, it’s a 30-minute drive, even on blue lights, to the nearest ambulance station.
In those critical first minutes, your first aider—and their equipment—are the only hope of saving a life.
Trauma: A Leading Cause of Preventable Death
Trauma is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the UK, claiming 17,000 lives every year, according to Barts Charity. Major bleeding is the most common preventable cause of death in trauma patients, with injuries often resulting from road traffic accidents, violent crime, and falls.
In workplaces, the risks are just as real. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported 60,645 injuries to employees in 2022/23 under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations). While not all involve catastrophic bleeds, the prevalence of workplace injuries highlights the need for preparation.
What You Need to Be Prepared
Standard first aid kits are fine for minor injuries, but they’re not designed to handle severe bleeding. To effectively manage catastrophic bleeds, your workplace needs:
- Tourniquets to stop arterial blood flow.
- Haemostatic dressings to promote rapid clotting.
- Heavy-duty bleed pads for major trauma.
- Proper training to ensure your team knows how to act quickly and effectively.
Why This Is Your Responsibility
As a manager, ensuring adequate first aid provision is more than just good practice—it’s a legal obligation. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires employers to ensure the safety of their employees. Failure to do so can lead to prosecution by the HSE, not to mention the emotional toll of knowing more could have been done.
Here’s the Good News
The right preparation doesn’t have to break the bank:
- Trauma kits start at less than £100.
- Advanced training and enhanced response kits cost less than £1500.
These are small investments compared to the cost of a preventable death—financially, legally, and emotionally.
Final Thoughts
In the time it’s taken you to read this blog post, around 3.5 minutes, a person with a catastrophic bleed could have died. This is why preparation is so critical. Your first aider—and the equipment you provide—may be the only thing standing between a colleague and a tragic outcome.
Let’s Talk About Workplace Safety
We’re passionate about workplace safety and ensuring businesses are ready for all situations. While we don’t sell equipment, we offer free consultations to help you identify the right tools and training to keep your team safe.
