When a Waikato constable recently suffered a gashed artery from a broken glass door pane, his colleague was able to use a tourniquet from their car’s first aid kit to stem the potentially deadly bleeding.
Now this simple lifesaving measure will be even more easily accessible with the rollout of personal-issue tourniquets and trauma bandages to Level 1 responders.
The tourniquet comes in a pouch which can be attached to an officer’s uniform or utility belt, so it can be kept close to hand at all times. It can be used by staff on others or on themselves.
Time is of the essence when a tourniquet is needed.
“The first two minutes are crucial and having the tourniquet ready to hand will save precious time,” says Superintendent Andrew Sissons, Director, Frontline Safety Improvement Programme.
“Tourniquets have been in Police car first aid kits for some time and this won’t change. But the quick access possible from officers carrying them on their person will be advantageous.”
Feedback from frontline staff indicated the tourniquets would be a safety enhancement for both staff and the communities they serve.
Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing, says the rollout makes perfect sense.
"A lot of serious bleeds happen on our roads. This will save lives, when you consider how often our people are the first at a crash scene” he says.
“It will contribute to our goals of Safe Roads and Safe Communities and align with the Government’s Road to Zero strategy.”
The rollout to districts is already under way with delivery of tourniquets and pouches, with an accompanying trauma bandage, for distribution to Level 1 responders.