09/04/2025
Do You Know What a Catastrophic Bleed Is — and How to Stop One?
In medical terms, a catastrophic bleed refers to severe, life-threatening external bleeding where blood loss is rapid and uncontrollable — for example, arterial bleeding caused by a stabbing, road traffic collision, or industrial accident. Without immediate intervention, death can occur in under five minutes (KnifeSavers, 2024).
To address this critical issue, Wirral Council, in partnership with trauma specialists from KnifeSavers, has installed Emergency Bleeding Control Cabinets across the borough.
Each cabinet is accessible 24/7 and contains four Bleeding Control Kits.
Each kit includes:
An emergency tourniquet
Z-fold dressing
Trauma dressing
Foil blanket
Gloves
All items are clearly labelled and numbered, and each kit contains simple step-by-step instructions to guide you through what to do in an emergency.
How it works: If someone suffers a catastrophic bleed, call 999 immediately. The emergency operator will direct you to the nearest cabinet and provide the access code.
Cabinet locations include:
McDonald's Liscard (CH44 5TP)
McDonald's Birkenhead (CH41 6EB)
Hoole Road Hub (CH49 8EG)
Heswall Library (CH60 0AF)
Want to learn how to use the kits — confidently and correctly?
At SecMed Group, we specialise in emergency first aid and catastrophic bleed control training for individuals, businesses, and community organisations.
Whether you're a member of the public, a venue manager, school staff, or part of a frontline team — we offer practical, hands-on training that prepares you to respond quickly and effectively in a bleeding emergency.
Our sessions are delivered by experienced instructors with real-world backgrounds in the military, emergency medicine, and security, ensuring your training is both realistic and professional.
Get trained. Be confident. Be ready to save a life.
Book your training today at: www.secmedgroup.com Email: info@secmedgroup.com Follow and contact us via social media for updates and bookings.
For more information about the Emergency Bleeding Control Cabinet scheme, visit:
Wirral Council: www.wirral.gov.uk
KnifeSavers: www.knifesavers.org
SecMed Group: www.secmedgroup.com
NHS / Department of Health: Stop the Bleed Campaign