To help prevent deaths following violent attacks, a number of South Florida cities are requiring the installation of BCKs in certain large buildings frequented by large numbers of residents. For example, one city ordinance targets commercial and retail spaces with a square footage greater than 35,000 and buildings that hold 500 or more people. BCKs are plastic containers filled with medical equipment used to control bleeding by people who have suffered traumatic injuries. BCKs contain tourniquets, gauze pads, vented chest seals, medical gloves, trauma scissors and an instruction card. The outside of a BCK displays the universal medical symbol. BCKs can be installed in the same cabinet alongside automated external defibrillators. One city has installed BCKs in city facilities, community centers and parks. Bystanders can be instructed on how to use the BCKs by 911 dispatchers. |