This question was sent into us via email – let us know what you think in the comments below:
‘I think this is definitely something that needs to be pressed upon when it comes to first aid training.
The lack of training and provisions provided to officers is truly frightening when you consider we’re normally the first on scene and it can be an awfully long, painful wait for an ambo these days.
‘That isn’t a go at the ambo service, as I’ve seen first hand how overstretched and underfunded they are.
‘First-aid training is carried out annually where I work, as part of officer safety training in a
‘We get told that we should all carry tourniquets, combat gauze, etc, but, it all seems to fall on deaf ears, as no-one wants to pay for it themselves.
‘When I’ve raised it with colleagues, I get laughed and get the usual comment that an ambo or ARV will never be far away, which, in reality, we know isn’t the case.
‘It’s those vital first minutes that can determine the outcome of a major injury, which makes me question my
‘What would they do when faced with someone bleeding out in front of them?
‘It’s very rare that there is a first aid kit in the cars, let alone a fully stocked one, and the individual one consists of only a mouthguard, a pair of gloves and a plastic apron.
‘How does the quality of first aid training/kit vary across the UK as a whole?
‘Is this something that anyone has ever raised with yourselves before?
‘Regards, Martyn’
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Having the kit supplied would be good, shame so many other things take precedence. As a former Ambo EMT I bought my own when I was updating my personal ‘bike’ kit a couple of years ago, I hope never to need the CAT or Israeli dressings in it for myself or others but it’s there in the top-box, just in-case. The kit has as travelled widely with me both to Europe and Canada and though minor injuries have needed attention the major items remain unused, one thing I have noticed is the sideways looks the pouch attracts in the UK from the public and uniformed ‘civilians’ yet is ignored or even welcomed elsewhere in the world
Its not like this in the MET, all cars are fitted with full emergency medical kit bags and almost every officer has some in their personal kit bag. The ELS is ok, but then if younreally want to be a gucci you canndo further training. Never met an officer who says ambo on way in london you are the ambo in most senarios and they all gets hands on. Retired police office.