EditorCampaigners call for bleed control kits in every Carmarthenshire school
The military‑grade kits, which have saved lives on battlefields and in major trauma incidents, are already widespread across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. Hundreds have been installed through an initiative led by former High Sheriff of West Glamorgan Melanie James and the Heartbeat Trust charity.
Llanelli town councillor Shaun Greaney says Carmarthenshire needs to catch up — and fast.
He said the kits could be rolled out across every primary school in the county for less than £10,000, adding that the price of a single kit is just £95.
“Llanelli and Carmarthenshire is lagging behind our neighbours,” he said. “The lives of adults and children here could be saved at a price of just £95 per kit. For less than £10,000 all 94 Carmarthenshire primary schools could get that extra protection.”
Thirteen secondary schools in the county have recently received kits thanks to sponsorship from Morgan Laroche solicitors. Several Llanelli businesses and residents have also bought kits for vehicles and private defibrillator cabinets.
Greaney said Llanelli Town Council had already installed kits in its nine defibrillator cabinets, most of them outside community centres and public buildings. He hopes other councils and community groups will follow.
‘These kits save lives’
The push for bleed control kits in Wales was inspired by the work of the Daniel Baird Foundation, set up after 26‑year‑old Daniel Baird was stabbed to death in Birmingham in 2017. It was later established that his life may have been saved if a publicly accessible kit had been available.
Melanie James, now a trustee of the Heartbeat Trust, said catastrophic bleeding can happen in many ways — not just violence.
She said: “Catastrophic bleeds can happen after a car accident, a work‑related injury or a fall. There are 30,000 bleed control kits in England and just hundreds in our part of Wales. I think they should be available in all secondary schools.”
James said the charity also provides awareness sessions to give people confidence in using the kits.
“In less than an hour people will be equipped with skills that could save a life,” she said.
Free training sessions announced
Free CPR, defibrillator and bleed control kit training will take place at:
- Wesleyan Community Hall, Campbell Street, Morfa – Tuesday 24 February, 6–7pm
- Paddock Street Hall, off Station Road, Llanelli – Monday 16 March
To book a place, residents can contact Llanelli Town Council on 01554 774352.
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