Counter terrorism first aid awareness Standards for Public Access Trauma (PAcT) First aid kits – equipment

Accessibility, storage and contents

PAcT first aid kits are for use by any person, regardless of their level of training, to support the treatment of life threatening injuries. 

The kits will significantly enhance an organisation's existing first aid preparedness, increase first aid resilience amongst the general public and ultimately improve the survivability of a person with life threatening injuries.

A PAcT first aid kit should be: 

• located in areas which the public can access
• easily identifiable in a coloured, sealed pack/container, clearly labelled 'Public Access Trauma First Aid Kit' with a clearly visible white cross on the front
• located with the universally agreed signage for these kits, which can be seen below
   

Public Access Trauma (PAcT) first aid kit contents

Public Access Trauma (PAcT) first aid kits signage

Public Access Trauma (PAcT) first aid kits should be located alongside the new universally agreed Public Access Trauma (PAcT) first aid kit sign. This will ensure they are clearly identifiable and can be distinguished from other forms of first aid provision.

The sign can be obtained with the kit from first aid suppliers and a copy of the sign is shown below:

Legalities

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 requires employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. 

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 - Section 3 requires employers to also consider the health and safety of others not employed whilst using their facilities. In addition, the Health and Safety Executive strongly recommends that non-employees are included in any assessment and that first aid provision is made for them.

How to achieve good practice

Organisations should:

• ensure the PAcT kit is included in and forms part of an organisation's First Aid Needs Assessment
• have in place a formal risk-based process which determines the best location for these kits
• embed the name 'Public Access Trauma First Aid Kit' and 'PAcT First Aid Kit' within the first aid culture of the organisation
• ensure all individuals within the premises are aware of the kit's location, use and contents

​​​​​​​How to achieve leading practice

Organisations should:

• have a clearly defined process for consulting and sharing the location of the kits with neighbouring organisations and emergency services
• ensure the kits form an integral part of an organisation's first aid response plan
• hold specific contingency plans which take into account the likely circumstances which may require the use of these kits
• have an agreed understanding that these kits may be used by emergency services if they need it to supplement their own kit
• ensure the kits form part of a first aid exercise programme where relevant lessons are identified and reflected in updated plans and arrangements
• ensure that sufficient staff have received additional awareness training in the use of these kits

Further guidance and supporting information

• St John Ambulance – Accredited first aid training and suppliers of first aid products
• citizenAID - Free information on how to stay safe and treat casualties before the 999 services arrive. Suppliers of first aid products
• Resuscitation Council UK – Information on CPR and Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
• British Heart Foundation – Information on defibrillators
• Health & Safety Executive – Guidance for employers on first aid
• 2023 National Risk Register – The National Risk Register 2023 outlines the key malicious and non-malicious risks that could affect the UK and provides resilience guidance to the public