It can take just 5 minutes for someone to bleed to death.
A rapid response ambulance often takes 7 minutes to arrive at the scene.
Crosby’s Soroptimists welcomed Mr Nikhil Misra, Consultant Trauma Surgeon at Aintree Hospital and founder of the charity Knifesavers, as guest speaker. Mr Misra gave a comprehensive overview of knife crime, which encompasses all bladed or pointed articles. He also explained the mechanism of bleeding, life-saving techniques available and the work of his charity.
In partnership with medical staff, Knifesavers have developed Bleed Control Kits which contain the necessary items to use in an emergency. Kits (and wall-mounted cabinets) are being provided throughout Merseyside. Crosby Soroptimists have funded a cabinet, ready for installation at the Learning Centre at Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve.
Through education in the basics of bleed control, the charity is reaching hundreds of people – in schools, at football stadia, in city centre bars, at railway stations. The aim? – everyone to be able to stop the bleeding. Simple techniques can keep someone alive for long enough to summon an ambulance and get them to hospital.
- Alert – make sure you are safe – call 999
- Bleeding – where is the blood coming from? – find the wound
- Compress to control – press hard with two hands
It is through the initiative of Past President Jill Boggan that Crosby Soroptimists have supported the work of Knifesavers. “Life-threatening injuries are not just the result of knife crime”, she said. “On the beach or in the street, an accident could result in a penetrating wound or damage to a major blood vessel.
“Our club members, therefore, welcomed guests from other local Soroptimist clubs, Crosby Lions and Rotarians to this event. Mr Misra’s message made a great impact on us all.”