A ‘GAME-CHANGING’ life-saving pocket-sized bleed control kit which was developed in Bromsgrove has been officially launched today (Friday).
‘Lil Bleederz’ is the brainchild of Sherie Wilson who is the customer services manager at Judd Medical.
Sherie was a victim of knife crime and joined the company six months ago.
She had the idea for the pocket-sized bleed control kit, following her own experience and amidst the rise in knife crime.
Judd Medical has developed the pack in the last six months.
This shows the size of the Lil Bleederz kit. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd.The kit
The Lil Bleederz contains two tourniquets – one for an arm wound and one for a leg laceration – a pressure bandage, latex gloves for the user to avoid infection, and a foil blanket to keep the casualty warm.
It is designed to stem the bleeding long enough for an ambulance to arrive as the first eight to 10 minutes between a 999 call and medics reaching the scene is a crucial time for the patient.
The kits contain two tourniquets, a pressure bandage, latex gloves for the user to avoid infection, and a foil blanket
Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd.
The kit also contains instructions on how to use the items and a QR code to a one-minute video (below) which also goes through what to do in the event of a stabbing or similar medical emergency.
It has been made so the user does not have to be first aid trained and each one costs £9.99 to make it as affordable as possible.
Lil Bleederz has the slogan ‘Small enough to carry, Strong enough to save’.
The launch
At today’s launch at Judd Medical’s base, Sherie gave a speech, telling her own personal story and her journey in coming up with the idea for the kit to it being created.
Speaking to the Standard, she said: “I myself was a victim of knife crime so it is an issue that is very close to my heart.
“Back when it happened to me, it was a rarity but you only have to watch the news or read the papers to see how it has increased over the years.
“Because I am clinically qualified, I know that when someone is stabbed, time is critical – that time from when the knife goes in to when help arrives.
“We know the ambulance service is under pressure and can’t get there instantly – there is usually a six to 10-minute delay – so Lil Bleederz was created by myself as an interim measure so a young person, member of the public or anyone, can apply a tourniquet and put a blanket around the patient to keep them warm and the bleed at bay.”
The event was attended by Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas.
He said: “This has the potential to be a game-changer – it is such an inspirational creation.
“It can be used by anyone – they don’t have to be medically trained – and just watching the one-minute video could help save a life.
“And it does not just apply to knife crime, it can be used in other emergencies as well.”
Lil Bleederz benefits
A number of charities also attended the launch, including Pete Martin from Redditch’s #droptheknife campaign and Redditch Self Defence Association. Pete has been extensively campaigning across Redditch and Bromsgrove against knife crime and educating children and young people about the dangers of carrying weapons.
Sherie Wilson with Redditch anti-knife crime campaigner Pete Martin. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd.On the Lil Bleederz, he said: “We have been looking for an alternative to the larger bleed control kit for some time.
“We need one out there which is smaller so it can be carried in the pocket, satchel, rucksack or handbag and it needs to be affordable – this ticks all the boxes and it is made right here locally so we will definitely be putting in some large orders and we can then swing by and pick them up.
“This can go in the pockets of young people, of door staff at pubs and clubs and we have even been contacted by companies interested in having them in the glove boxes of all their work vans.
“There is a security guard in the Kingfisher Centre who is a first aider and he does all our training in the regular bleed kits so he’ll be able to incorporate this pocket-sized one as well.”
Pete plans to have them at the Redditch Youth Engagement Partnership where his youth club is based out of and to take them into schools to talk about them.
“This is a local product that will benefit local people.”
Other charity representatives included Lee Moore and Ellease Dawkins from the James Brindley Foundation and Martin Crosser from Charlie’s Promise.
The James Brindley Foundation believes every young person, at risk of entering the criminal justice system, or who is already engaging in criminal behaviours, is capable of positive change and has a hollistic approach to tackling young offending.
Charlie’s Promise was set up in memory of Charlie ‘Cheeks’ Cosser and is dedicated to helping the fight against the rising issue of knife crime in the UK by raising awareness of the dangers of both carrying and using a knife. The charity uses its own real life experience to educate young people on the immeasurable impact knife crime has on the victim’s family and friends, and the wider communities.
Judd Medical
Judd Medical based at Buntsford Park after moving to the site 10 years ago from Redditch.
The company, which employs around 15 people, supplies electro surgery equipment, orthopaedic products and surgical instruments to NHS and private hospitals and has been established for the past 30 years.
The Lil Bleederz is now available from Judd Medical – visit: judd-medical.co.uk for more information.
