The recent European Resuscitation Council review of a number of first aid protocols suggests there is a need in certain circumstances for first aid kits to contain haemostatic dressings and tourniquets. The view of HSE is that the inclusion of these items is based on your First Aid Needs Assessment.
Where your needs assessment has identified a requirement for tourniquets and/or haemostatic dressings you should make sure:
- your haemostatic dressings are always in date;
- workplace first aiders are trained by a competent provider in when to apply a tourniquet and the correct technique to use. For example, competent training providers should be teaching clinical protocols as described by the Faculty of Pre Hospital Care; and,
- workplace first aiders have training in when and how a haemostatic dressing is applied.
Examples of sectors that may benefit from additional training in the use of tourniquets based on RIDDOR data include: construction, agriculture, forestry and some aspects of manufacturing.