Major bleeding from severe trauma is a life-threatening condition. In recent years there has been an increase in mass casualty incidents requiring equipment for hemorrhage control. That is why Ambulance Denmark with due diligence has implemented a major hemorrhage kit in all 400 ambulances operating in Denmark.
“We know from experience that severely injured patients might bleed to death if not treated instantly. Our paramedics are well educated and capable in bleeding control, however we must acknowledge that sometimes a bleeding is so severe that additional equipment is necessary,” Says Martin Betzer, Head of Quality and Development in Ambulance Denmark.
In the right place at the right time
The hemorrhage kit is an addition to the daily ambulance outfit and consists of special bandages, tourniquets and gauze for wound packaging. The kit is packed separately, ready to use or to hand over to civilians in case of mass casualty incidents.
“With this approach, we ensure that the hemorrhage kit is there when its needed. Other strategies internationally have been to place such kits strategically around cities for use by civilians – now all ambulances have it, meaning that the kit is in the right place at the right time”, Martin Betzer continues.
He believes that the equipment will be a great help especially at very serious events such as shootings or explosions where many people are present.
