Quikclot

Posted by: Anonymous

Quikclot - 11/22/03 07:22 PM

I see a few posts from the May-June time frame on this subject.
Has anyone made use of this clotting product? Do you think it is worth the price to add it to a major FAK?
Does it have a shelf life and if so, how long?

Looks as if it is something the military is using, but at $19.00 or so for a 3.5 ounce pack, I would like some input.

Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Quikclot - 11/22/03 11:33 PM

The current issue of S.W.A.T. magazine December 2003 has an artice on QUICKCLOT. The article says several things. That with previous products the way to stop bleeding was to introduce clotting agents to the wound. QUICKCLOT adds nothing. Instead it removes moisture thereby condensing the "clotting factors" in your blood. It says that wounds that would have previously had a 100% mortality rate can now be turned into 100% survival rate.
The article lists Popular Science as having awarded QUICKCLOT with the magazine's 2002 "Best of What's New" in medical technology. The Office of Naval Research as having conducted testing on the product. The testing was conducted under the lead of Dr. Hasan Alam. Two other listing include Z-Medica, LLC and H and H Associates, Inc. as sources of the article. Web sites for the last two being " www.z-medica.com " and " www.cinchtight.com " .
Posted by: Ade

Re: Quikclot - 11/23/03 12:48 AM

Skater,

Search on "Quikclot" here on the forum. One of our resident MD's said the product was pretty universally panned by medics in Afganistan and Iraq, and offered (IIRC) documentation to back that up. Based on that and similar reports from buddies who were over there, I have decided not to include it into my preparations. It MAY have some value in some circumstances, but until that is proven, I won't be toting any around.


Take care,

Andy
Posted by: paramedicpete

Re: Quikclot - 11/24/03 03:24 PM

In general, I would say save your money and take a quality first aid course, it will serve you better in the long run. You will learn how to handle a variety of medical emergencies. I have yet to encounter hemorrhaging severe enough, which could not be controlled with the Basic Life Support skills of direct pressure, elevation, pressure bandage and pressure points. Pete
Posted by: Polak187

Re: Quikclot - 11/24/03 03:30 PM

Hey Pete,

is Quikclot same as TraumaDex?

http://www.traumadex.com/

Matt
Posted by: Glock-A-Roo

Re: Quikclot - 11/24/03 04:15 PM

The data coming back from the sandbox areas are contradictory. Some report the stuff to be useless, others say it has saved lives. Search the [tactical EMS forum] at LightFighter for many details.
Posted by: OldBaldGuy

Re: Quikclot - 11/24/03 04:33 PM

I would have to agree with what Pete says, but I bought some of the stuff anyway, because when I was working I often encountered multi people injured, and it was real hard to apply direct pressure, etc., on more than one victim at the same time. Now, if I should ever come upon something like that, I could if I wanted squirt some the power in one bleeder and apply direct pressure on another...
Posted by: paramedicpete

Re: Quikclot - 11/24/03 04:42 PM

I am not sure, but looking at both products and the information they post, they do look the same. At least in how they work. Pete
Posted by: Polak187

Re: Quikclot - 11/24/03 05:04 PM

After all this reminds me of stuff you are using to controll spills. You spray some powder and liquid turns into jello so you can scoop it out with the showel. Just make sure you dont get it into your toilet bowl or sink or drain.

Quicklot does that same. I mean for capilary bleeding I couldn't care less and would actually use it since surface bleeding looks bad. But imagine somebody inexpierienced throwing that stuff when you got a internal jugular vein slashed? Or in the sucking chest wound? That's like disaster waiting to happen.

Matt
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Quikclot - 11/24/03 05:09 PM

You might want to do some more research on your approach. According to what I've seen you still need to apply direct pressure after using Quikclot. Here's the USMC traing hand out for the new FAK. http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/gtb/TPS/MedicalProgramsO/Utilization_of_the_IFAK_Student_Handout.pdf

Several sites that sell the stuff also specifically state "....when used in conjunction with the Cinch-Tight* bandage...". It's not an apply and forget product. Although the company website leaves you with that impression, the instructions say otherwise.

Also, there seems to be a few serious warnings concerning tissue damage and burns if it gets applied outside of the wound area. Just something else to be aware of, you don't want to get sued for giving a guy a 2d degree burn while you saved his life <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Ed

*Another Z-Medica product
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Quikclot - 11/25/03 04:25 AM

Thanks very much for all the feedback.
I appreciate all of you taking the time to respond.
Posted by: paramedicpete

Re: Quikclot - 11/26/03 03:56 PM

While I still believe BLS bleeding control methods are still preferable, I found a source that that has a reasonable priced product if you would like to try a chemical hemostat (chemical to control bleeding). I have not used the product, do not endorse it or have any vested interested in the product, just offering it as possible resource. It is on Ebay, it is called QUICK RELIEF, has 12 applications and while this particular seller has one listing, I am sure you could check the first aid area to find others or contact the seller. Looks like it should sell for a couple of dollars with reasonable S&H charge. Pete

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2966253850&category=11779
Posted by: Glock-A-Roo

Re: Quikclot - 11/26/03 04:31 PM

Here's some info from the military side:

http://www.usuhs.mil/uao/Release03-03-05.pdf

An excerpt:

“Hemostatic agents without this exothermic property will be available in the future and should be evaluated as a potential replacement. Until that time, used carefully in this well-defined population who are still bleeding despite all standard current therapy, it seems that the benefit of saving a life outweighs the risk .”

"The panel also reinforced the FDA’s recommendation for use by reporting that given tissue damage from this exothermic reaction may be a risk, this agent should only be used for lifethreatening hemorrhaging."

Posted by: lostscout

Re: Quikclot - 11/26/03 06:21 PM

OK, so where do I get some... i.e. a place I can trust. My farther takes Coumadin, and this could every well save his life!
Posted by: lostscout

Re: Quikclot - 11/26/03 06:39 PM

What about hemaderm?
Posted by: Markhk

Re: Quikclot - 11/27/03 09:06 PM

There appears to be some confusion with the many emergency hemorrhagic control agents on the market. The best known ones are the following:

QuikClot: Uses minerals to create reaction to concentrate clotting factors and creates an exothermic reaction (read: gets hot) when it comes into contact with water. This is the product used in the USMC’s Individual IFAK and has received the most praise for severe blood loss control. However, USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command) has pulled its used from the field because they believe the dangers of severe burns are high. HOWEVER, the Army and Marine Corp, after a study that reiterated its effectiveness (USUHS) continue to use the product because they believe that a BURN is better than DYING. There are confirmed reports of saves with this product in US military operations. The product is manufactured by Z-Medica which is NOT related to the company that makes the Cinch-Tight banadage. They do make a “battle pack” which uses the Cinch Tight bandage, which is modeled after the Marine Individual First Aid Kit. It is very important you follow the instructions on the packet to prevent burns. (www.z-medica.com)

Traumadex: Is made from potato starch and is NOT related to QuikClot in any way. These starch molecules “swell” when they come into contact with water helping createa “plug” in a wound. There are promising rabbit studies which indicate its ability to work well and I remember reading several ambulance organizations raving about it. However, one study (on the Z-Medica site) indicates that the product performs poorly in a severe bleeding model. However, there is no danger of burns. This is the SAME product as Hemaderm, Bleed-X, and Hema-Block. (www.traumadex.com) and (www.medafor.com)

UrgentQR: Is a mineral product designed to create a “scab” over minor wounds. I hear it is great for athletic trainers and the like who need to get players back on the pitch by stopping minor bleeding. (Players usually get sent out with actively bleeding wounds). However, this product is NOT designed for severe bleeding. (www.biolife.com)

Hemcon: Experimental shrimp bandage that will cost US$100 for a 4x4 inch gauze size. Its clinical effectiveness has yet to be determined publicly. (www.hemocon.com)

The bottom line:
If you do HIGH-RISK (of blood loss) activity (e.g. law enforcement, military, mountain expedition in the Andes etc.) or have blood clotting issues (hemophilia or are on blood thinning drugs) then you should think about buying these products. However, this stuff really isn’t needed in your medicine cabinet, especially ones that can cause severe burns if not used properly. Most of the products still require you to know basic first aid skills (Direct Pressure, Elevation, Pressure Points) and are NOT a replacement for these skills. However, some of these products have great promise in saving lives that were previously unsalvageable by the simple first-aid-equipped responder.