PCSO Matthew Kieboom was on patrol when he came across a male who had severe cuts to his hand and forearm, one of which was an arterial bleed after he had smashed some glass in Cardigan.
PCSO Kieboom immediately sprung into action and used his belt and a spoon that had been given by a neighbour in order to make an improvised tourniquet that stemmed the flow of the blood.
“Because we were so close and the tourniquet was applied so quickly, the casualty stayed alive,” he told the BBC.
PSCO Kieboom wants to use the case in order to highlight the catastrophic bleeding course that is being rolled out.
The catastrophic bleeding training is an add-on to the yearly first aid refresher, in which front-line staff are taught how to create and use improvised tourniquets when being confronted with a scenario whereby someone is losing a lot of blood.
PCSO Kieboom continued that:
“Despite excellent direct pressure being applied to the wounds by a member of public, the only reason the bleeding came under control was because an improvised tourniquet was applied and the pressure was maintained”.
“I cannot stress enough how effective the tourniquet can be – even a Blue Peter version – with what you have to hand or nearby. Think pens, ties, batons, slings even torches and the plastic tube for a breathalyser can be used in making an improvised tourniquet.
“The wounds were so serious that the casualty was rushed straight into life-saving surgery on arrival at hospital. I have since been to see how the casualty is doing and they are making a full recovery.”
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