Taxi drivers in Liverpool are helping save lives by carrying emergency bandages which can stop people bleeding to death.
The military-grade bandages have already been installed in thousands of cabs across the UK which have stickers on the front and rear windows so they can be easily identified in an emergency. This is the first time they have been issued in Liverpool.
Cabs carrying them can be flagged down and the bandages can stop someone bleeding to death from a serious wound caused by an accident, fall or even a stabbing.
Each kit contains the emergency bandages and a built-in pressure pad and tourniquet, along with easy-to-follow instructions for anyone to apply.
Taxi insurance specialist Patons Insurance, which has a regional office in Liverpool, has funded the Rapaid kits to be distributed to 50 cabs in the city. In March, Patons donated the kits to 50 taxis in Glasgow.
On July 8, Rapaid founder Alex Chivers distributed the lifesaving kits to drivers at Paton’s office at Unit 9, Connect Business Village, 24 Derby Rd, Liverpool – and drivers were queueing up for them.
Jo Noonan, Operations Director at Patons Insurance, said: “Taxis are part of the communities they serve and because they are mobile and operate in busy areas, they are ideal for getting life-saving equipment such as the bandages where they are needed.
“The hope is that they are never needed, but it is important to stop a serious bleed quickly and the Rapaid bandages can be applied by anyone, from passers-by, first-aiders and door staff with no medical knowledge needed.
“We donated Rapaid bandages to 50 taxis in Glasgow earlier this year and are pleased to work with Rapaid again to help keep people safe in Liverpool.”
Rapaid founder Alex Chivers said: “The bandages are designed to stem serious blood loss until help arrives and when it comes to a haemorrhage, the quicker direct pressure is applied and treatment begins, the better your chances of survival. Time really does save lives.
“It makes perfect sense to use the same military bandages designed for the battlefield and to have these bandage kits carried on taxis that are in and out of our community day and night can be the difference between life and death.
“We have more than 5,000 kits in several cities and collaborated with Patons to put our first in Glasgow. It’s great to work together again and put more bandages in taxis in Liverpool.”
For details, visit Rapaid Emergency Bandages: https://rapaid.org/
