Accessibility, storage and content
A PAcT First Aid Kit should be:
located in areas to which the public have access
available for use by any person
A PAcT First Aid Kit should be easily identifiable and clearly labelled Public Access Trauma First Aid Kit
At a minimum, contain the following items:
| Kit Item | Item Description | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Personal Protective Equipment Disposable gloves (x4 pairs), disposable glasses, disposable face mask | 2 sets |
| 2 | Tuff Cut Scissors | 2 |
| 3 | Large Trauma Wound Dressing | 4 |
| 4 | Woven Triangular Bandage | 2 |
| 5 | Windlass Tourniquet | 2 |
| 6 | CPR Face Shield | 2 |
| 7 | Indelible Marker Pen | 2 |
| 8 | PAcT First Aid Kit Aide Memoire | 2 |
Legalities
Beyond the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 which 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, there is no specific legal duties relating to having in place publicly accessible first aid kits. However, the Health and Safety Executive strongly recommends that non-employees are included in an assessment of first-aid needs and that provision is made for them.
How to achieve good practice
Organisations should:
ensure the kit is included within, and forms part of an organisations First Aid Needs Assessment
have in place a formal risk based process which determines the best location for the kit
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 location, use and contents
locate the kit with other publicly accessible first aid provisions such as defibrillators
How to achieve leading practice
Organisations should:
have a clearly defined process for consulting and sharing the location of the kit with neighbouring organisations and emergency services
ensure the kit forms an integral part of an organisations first aid response plan
hold specific contingency plans which take into account the likely incident and injuries which would require the use of the kit
have an agreed understanding that the kit may be used by emergency services on those occasions where they need it to supplement their own kit
ensure the kit forms part of a first aid exercise programme where relevant lessons are identified and reflected in plans and arrangements
ensure that sufficient staff have received additional, and where applicable, accredited training in the use of the kit
Further guidance and supporting documentation
National Counter Terrorism Security Office - Information and guidance on counter terrorism protective security and preparedness, which includes CT first aid
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
Faculty of Pre Hospital Care – Information on pre hospital clinical standards
Resuscitation Council UK – Information on CPR and defibrillators
British Heart Foundation – Information on defibrillators
Health & Safety Executive – Guidance for employers on first aid
