I can understand including Quick Clot in a kit designed for range use, or any situation where deep penetrating wounds are likely (like battlefields), but is it really necessary in a general purpose kit? I have treated,or been on scene in many trauma incidents,some of which involved firearms,and direct pressure always worked. If you are bleeding out, and I come upon you, expect DP, not QC.

If as the AMK literature indicates QC stops bleeding faster, that's probably a good thing on a serious bleed injury. DP may work and I see no reason to not use it. OTOH, if I'm out solo and despite being bulletproof I find myself bleeding profusely, I may have more success controlling blood loss with QC. When the blood is mine I take a personal interest to keep more of it inside. Are there any reasons to not use Quickclot? Obviously not for a small superficial cut/scrape, but for a serious laceration where DP would work, is there a reason to avoid QC?

Quickclot


That said, the only serious bleeder I've treated was a "broken glass while washing dishes incident" (cut to the bone); we rinsed it, used direct pressure and found the nearest clinic. A few stitches later and all was good.

My reservations about QC stem from experience in successfully controlling bleeding with DP, up to and including a limb amputation (victim walked into the rear rotor of a helicopter) and thus it seems to me that QC is a solution looking for a problem - for most of us, that is. Battlefield medicine is a different breed of cat,about which I know nothing, and there indeed, QC seems to be useful.

But I dubious about including QC in a general purpose FAK, when the money and space could be used for more generally useful items. You always run into this issue - what to leave in and what to leave out of the FAK. The answers should be conditioned by the level of training of the users and the injury profile typical of the situations they will be facing.

Yep, those trade-offs are really what this thread is about. For Jeanette's purposes, QC may not be a cost effective addition to the main kit. OTOH, a single trauma kit with QC to supplement the primary kit may be a good alternative -- her call.

In my opinion, take it for what it's worth, direct pressure with a 4x4 or gauze should stop most bleeding problems. If DP alone doesn't work, I would apply pressure points and elevate the wound. If I'm alone and I'm the one bleeding, I may use quick-clot if I have it; since the wound may be in an inconvenient place for DP to be effective. The advantage of DP is I always have a palm handy. QC may not always be handy.

I am considering QuickClot for future kits, after I use up my surplus trauma pads. Is there a difference between QuickClot Sport and QuickClock 1st Response? QuickClot 1st Response is significantly lower.

http://www.rescue-essentials.com/quikclot-25-gram-sponges-5-per-box/

Jeanette Isabelle

Hemostatic agents have their place. I come at this as a firearms instructor and thinking about accidental gunshot wounds, but I've thought about it for wilderness use too. If you're by yourself or far from definitive care with a big bleed, a hemostatic agent can make things a lot easier for you.

Combat Gauze and similar products are more flexible (work in more situations) than the Quik Clot sponge products. They're also less bulky to carry.

My last experience with significant bleeding was when I split the side of my thumb beside the nail. It was deep enough that DP worked WHILE IT WAS APPLIED. Held pressure on it until I reached the ER (about 20min.) At that point, If I released pressure, it would shortly start bleeding again.

You were in the ER, right? Mission accomplished!

I suppose QC would be useful in mass casualty scenes, simply so that one could attend to multiple situations without being focused on one wound, applying pressure.

Absolutely. Christmas Eve 2004 knife slipped while opening thick clam shell packaging.

Slice.

Close & drop knife.

Grip thumb with other hand

"Grab your keys & pocketbook, we're going to ER."

One look, grab paper towel & deathgrip on thumb with other hand.

Next time I let go was at the ER triage station.

I've figured out that stuff is safer opened with a knife cutting toward your body. Brace it between one hand and your chest and cut away from your hand (yes, this is toward your body). Holding the knife in a full fist grip means even if it slips you get at most a minor cut. Your thumb on the hand holding the knife will hit your chest before the blade.

I've been cut with both dull & sharp knives. Sharp hurts less & heals faster.