What Paramedics See — And Why Public Bleed Control Changes Everything
As a practising paramedic, I've attended hundreds of traumatic bleeding incidents. The difference between survival and death is often measured in minutes — sometimes seconds. The patients who survive are not always the ones closest to the hospital. They're the ones who had something done before we arrived. Here's what the clinical data shows, and why I'm dedicating my career to changing Australia's approach to public bleed control.
By Theodore Dimitriou · Paramedic & Director, BCKA · 8 min read
How to Apply a Tourniquet — A Step-by-Step Guide for Bystanders
Tourniquets are safe, effective, and proven to save lives. Despite outdated myths, they rarely cause permanent injury when applied correctly. This guide walks any bystander through the process in under 2 minutes.
Bleed Control Basics · 5 min read
How the UK Built 30,000 Public Bleed Kits — And What Australia Can Learn
The Daniel Baird Foundation's story began with tragedy and ended in a national movement. Over 30,000 kits. A national database. Ambulance services directing 999 callers to the nearest kit. A framework Australia can and should adopt.
International Policy · 7 min read
The Evidence: How Tourniquets Reduce Mortality by Up to 67%
Military medicine has generated extraordinary data on tourniquet efficacy. Civilian applications show comparable results. A summary of the clinical literature every Australian policymaker should read.
Clinical Evidence · 9 min read
Wound Packing: When a Tourniquet Isn't Enough
For wounds in the neck, groin, or axilla — a tourniquet can't help. This is where haemostatic gauze and wound packing saves lives. A practical guide to technique, materials, and when to use them.
Advanced Bleed Control · 6 min read
A Policy Brief for Australian Parliamentarians: The Case for Public Access Bleed Control
A concise, evidence-based brief for Members of Parliament and local councillors. Covers the clinical rationale, international precedent, cost analysis, and recommended legislative pathways for Australia.
Advocacy Resource · 10 min read
The Golden Hour Myth: Why the First 3 Minutes Are What Actually Matter
The "Golden Hour" in trauma care is a well-known concept. But for haemorrhage, the real window is measured in minutes — sometimes less. Understanding the physiology of blood loss changes everything about how we respond.
Paramedic Insight · 6 min read
Placing Kits Correctly: The 90-Second Rule That Could Double Survival Rates
Cambridge University research shows that co-locating bleed kits with AEDs at 90-second walking intervals maximises lives saved. What does this mean for how Australia should deploy kits?
Implementation Research · 7 min read
What's Inside a Public Bleed Control Kit — and Why Every Item Matters
A detailed breakdown of everything in the BCKA public kit — tourniquet, haemostatic gauze, pressure bandage, shears, blanket, and instruction card — with the clinical rationale for each item.
Kit Guide · 5 min read
