A Bleed Kit is a grab-and-go pack containing essential equipment and specialist dressings designed to help control severe bleeding, particularly in the event of a stabbing, until emergency services arrive. These kits are stored in several defibrillator cabinets mounted on walls around Oswestry town centre. In an emergency, they are accessible via Ambulance Control by calling 999, where the operator will provide the access code for the cabinet.
Seven kits were initially installed in town centre locations following a proposal by then-town councillor Les Maguire, funded by Oswestry Town Council. Since then, the Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID) has expanded the initiative by placing additional Bleed Kits in more defibrillator cabinets throughout the wider parish. Today, approximately 26 kits are available across Oswestry and its surrounding villages.
While knife crime remains rare in Oswestry, incidents have occurred in recent years, reminding residents that the threat, however small, is real. In such situations, having the knowledge and confidence to use a Bleed Kit could save a life.
To help educate the community, local resident and campaigner Mike Lade is hosting a free one-hour training session focused on Bleed Kits. The session will introduce attendees to the contents of the kits, demonstrate how to use them effectively, and offer guidance on how to improvise bleeding control in the absence of a kit.
The event is primarily aimed at High Street shop owners, publicans, and hospitality workers, but is open to all interested members of the public.
Event Details:
📍 Oswestry Memorial Hall, Smithfield Street, Oswestry, SY11 2EG
📅 Monday, 29th September
🕚 Starts at 11:00 AM
Places are limited and booking is essential. To reserve a spot, contact Mike Lade via Facebook (@mikelade), use the JotForm link provided on his page, or email mikelade1975@gmail.com.
For more information, Mike can also be reached directly at 07803 038858.
