Plymouth has cemented its position as a leader in immediate trauma response, with over 300 taxis across the city now equipped with emergency bleed kits designed to save lives in the aftermath of stabbings, crashes, or other serious injuries.

The latest significant rollout saw an additional 200 kits distributed to drivers at Plymouth Train Station’s taxi rank.

This vital initiative is spearheaded by the charity RAPAID and is strongly supported by Babcock International Group, one of Plymouth’s largest employers. It forms part of a broader national effort to equip everyday vehicles with trauma kits that can provide critical intervention in the crucial minutes before emergency services arrive.

The kits contain professional-grade bandages engineered to halt catastrophic bleeding, intended for use by trained taxi drivers during an emergency. Taxis carrying these life-saving supplies display a distinctive green RAPAID window sticker, signalling them as a crucial source of immediate help.

Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Plymouth City Council, attended the distribution event, commending the collaborative effort.

"The distribution of emergency bandages to taxis across Plymouth could be the difference in saving someone’s life," Cllr Haydon stated. "This is such a fantastic initiative and although I hope they are never needed it is reassuring to see life saving equipment readily available to the public in those vital first moments."

Babcock International’s financial and logistical support has been instrumental in the project, with volunteers from the company assisting in the kit distribution. John Gane, Managing Director at Babcock’s Devonport facility, emphasised the company's commitment: "As one of Plymouth’s largest employers, we play an important role in the city and, in line with our purpose of creating a safe and secure world, we are proud to support RAPAID to ensure that local taxis are equipped with this important kit that may save someone’s life."

RAPAID’s founder, Alex Chivers, a former police firearms officer and military veteran, established the charity to bridge the critical time gap between injury and the arrival of an ambulance.

"It can take just five minutes to bleed to death," Mr. Chivers warned. "The quicker direct pressure is applied and treatment begins, the better the chance of survival. Taxi cabs move throughout the city day and night and anyone who sees the RAPAID green sticker can flag down that vehicle and get immediate help."

With over 6,000 taxis across the UK now fitted with RAPAID kits, Plymouth stands out for its high rate of deployment, a testament to the ongoing support from its taxi community and Babcock’s regional presence.

"I would like to thank the taxi drivers. Without their support we could not do any of this," added Mr. Chivers. "Alongside a range of other initiatives already in place across the city, we are helping make Plymouth a safer and more resilient place."

The kits are available to both private and hackney carriage operators. More information about the initiative can be found at www.rapaid.org.

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