Black cabs are being equipped with lifesaving bandages

Black cabs are being equipped with military-grade, lifesaving bandages.

Transport for London has approved the kit to be carried in 400 taxis.

The vehicles will have a sticker attached to them allowing first-aiders and emergency services to flag them down.

The bandages can apply up to 18kg of pressure, according to charity Rapaid, and can be invaluable in the ‘first golden minutes until help arrives’.

Rapaid’s founder Alex Chivers said bystanders, victims and first responders will be able to stem blood loss sustained in knife attacks or other accidents.

A pressure applicator is placed over the wound, allowing the bandage to be wrapped in various directions.

Mr Chivers told the BBC: ‘It made perfect sense for taxi-cabs to carry the same pressure-bar bandages designed for the battlefield.

‘With a serious haemorrhage you can bleed to death in under five minutes – time literally does save lives.’

Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, said black cabs are more equipped to help in an emergency.

He said: ‘Black cabs are ideally placed to carry these bandages, with participating taxis able to be quickly flagged down in an emergency or drivers to pull over and help if they come across a serious incident or life-threatening situation.

‘Cabbies often stop to assist people in distress and help keep Londoners safe when the worst happens. Now they will be better equipped to do so.’

The scheme follows trials in cities including Manchester, Oxford and Exeter.

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