Martyn’s Law: What it means for public safety and how Defib4Life can help

Martyn’s Law, known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, is transforming the way public venues in the UK prepare for emergencies. It calls for a proactive approach to risk, security and incident response, which includes being ready to manage medical trauma, not just threats.

While security is the law’s core focus, first aid and trauma response resources such as defibrillators and bleed control kits play a vital role in reducing casualties during a major incident. In this blog, we’ll explain what Martyn’s law is, who it affects, why AEDs and bleed control kits should be part of your emergency strategy and how Defib4Life can help your organisation prepare and protect.

What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law is a proposed UK legislation aimed at enhancing the safety of public spaces by requiring venues to:

•          Carry out terrorism risk assessments
•          Have clear emergency procedures
•         Provide staff with training in threat response
•          Ensure tools are in place to minimise harm during an attack

Venues fall into two tiers based on capacity:

1. Standard tier which applies to venues with 100+ capacity. These venues need a basic preparedness plan, staff awareness and emergency information.
2. Enhanced tier which applies to venues with 800+ capacity. These venues are required to have a robust risk assessment, detailed plans, training and drills.

Why medical emergency equipment is vital under Martyn’s Law

Martyn’s Law primarily targets terror threat preparedness but a well-rounded emergency response must also include the ability to treat casualties quickly, especially in cases of:

•         Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)
•          Penetrating trauma and heavy bleeding
•        Blast injuries
• ·       Delayed emergency medical service access

This is where defibrillators and bleed control kits come in.

Defibrillators: Life-saving in cardiac emergencies

Sudden cardiac arrest can be triggered by shock, trauma or stress, all of which are common in terror-related incidents. An AED delivers a life-saving shock to the patient to keep them alive until paramedics arrive.

At Defib4Life we supply:

•          Fully automatic and semi-automatic AEDs
•       Indoor and outdoor defibrillator cabinets
•       Replacement pads, batteries and maintenance plans

Bleed control kits: Essential for catastrophic bleeding 

In a hostile attack or major trauma situation, catastrophic bleeding can cause death within minutes. Bleed control kits, or trauma kits, are designed to treat life-threating wounds quickly and effectively.

A typical kit includes:

•        Tourniquet
•        Trauma dressing
•         Chest seals
•         Gloves and scissors
•         Emergency instructions

These kits are compact, easy to use and designed for use by trained or untrained bystanders while waiting for emergency services.

We stock a range of bleed control kits suitable for schools, retail locations, venues and transport hubs.

How Defib4Life can help you prepare for Martyn’s Law

We work with organisations in the UK to strengthen their emergency response strategy with both AEDs and bleed control kits.

Our services include:

Equipment supply and installation

Our customer service team will provide you with expert and friendly guidance to find the right defibrillator and trauma kit for your venue. We can also provide cabinet and signage installation and help you with both indoor or outdoor setup options.

Ongoing servicing and monitoring

At Defib4Life, we know how important it is to keep your defibrillator functioning properly in an emergency. That’s why we offer maintenance checks to help with battery and pad checks, visual inspection and kit content checks.

Staff training and awareness

Our training courses can help you to train your team in how to effectively deliver CPR and how to use a defibrillator so you can ensure your venue is properly prepared in an emergency situation.

Who should invest in defibrillators and bleed control kits?

Under Martyn’s Law, organisations responsible for spaces where the public gathers will need to review their emergency equipment needs, including:

•          Sports stadiums and arenas
•          Universities, colleges and schools
•         Shopping centres and cinemas
•          Concert venues and festivals.
•          Public transport terminals
•          Places of worship
•          Local authorities managing public buildings

Stay shock ready with Defib4Life 

Martyn’s Law means venues need to put stricter security measures in place and ensure they’re prepared when an attack strikes. AEDs and bleed control kits are crucial for saving lives in the first few minutes of an emergency, whether terror-related or medical.

At Defib4Life our mission is to make sure that life-saving defibrillators are available when they are needed most. Partner with us to ensure you’re equipped with the right tools, staff are trained and confident and your venue is well-prepared.

Contact our team for expert advice and browse our full range of defibrillators and bleed control kits.