ProtectUK publication date
The business premises of public and private sector organisations are ideally suited to locating Public Access Trauma (PAcT) First Aid Kits in areas to which the general public have access. These first aid kits, for use by any person regardless of their level of training, supports the treatment of life threatening injuries and will significantly enhance an organisations first aid preparedness, increase the first aid resilience amongst the general public and ultimately, improve the survivability of a person with life threatening injuries.

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 ItemItem DescriptionQuantity
1Personal Protective Equipment Disposable gloves (x4 pairs), disposable glasses, disposable face mask     2 sets
2Tuff Cut Scissors2
3Large Trauma Wound Dressing4
4Woven Triangular Bandage2
5Windlass Tourniquet2
6CPR Face Shield    2
7Indelible Marker Pen2
8PAcT First Aid Kit Aide Memoire2

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 

Keywords
First Aid
Attack
Risk
PAcT
publicly accessible places