Originally Posted By: codyjack
Maybe a little off-topic, but what would you guys recommend to stop major bleedings:

"Chemical" solutions like Quikclot and other clotting agents, or rather "physical" ones like the Israeli bandage or tourniquets, that work by applying pressure?

I could imagine that the "normal" bandages are more rugged when still wrapped, and even if their expiration date is up, they should still be sterile and thus usable as long as the packaging is intact.

Chemical agents, on the other hand, might really not be as effective when they expire (I have no idea), and I guess extreme storage conditions like in a dark backpack under direct sunlight might have negative effects on them (again, no idea).

I know that most kits have a combination of both types, but what if you had to choose?


Depends on the expected us. I never had to use such bandage. Just lots of gauze or gauze rolls will take care of all common injuries. The Israeli bandage or quickclot are more for gunshots or other very large wounds/bleeds. Tourniquets are not for directly on a wound and wrongly used can cause more harm than good.
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