Hemostatic agents

[MDEMT280]

Is anyone here carrying hemostatic agents (things like QuikClot) for use in emergency situations? Any first-hand experiences with them, either in training or actual emergencies?

[jimmiceman]

I carry the Quikclot 5 pack in my patrol bag just in case myself or another officer is hit and is bleeding badly. Every second counts!!!

[MDEMT280]

Are you carrying the new First Responder line (the five gauze pads), or just the regular QuikClot powder in the bag? Any actual uses, or is it still "just in case?"

Reason I ask is for similiar situations. It's not approved in our EMS protocols, but I'm thinking about carrying some anyway, just in case something happens to my crew, or other fire/EMS, or LE. I don't care, I'll go before the review hearings to defend myself.

I'm also thinking about buying one of the Combat Application Tourniquets that the military is issuing, on the same principles. When seconds count, I don't want to be screwing around with finding a pen or a stick or something sturdy to use for a jerry-rigged tourinquet.

(I'm sure I'll catch grief for it, too. It sucks, thinking outside of the box, and being prepared and all that.)

[apso1871]

Im not an EMT (but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, lol) but dosent the quickclot powder cause such serious burns that most of the area around the wound has to be removed? Arent the new quick clot sponges a better solution, and do they work as well as the powder?

[MDEMT280]

Im not an EMT (but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, lol) but dosent the quickclot powder cause such serious burns that most of the area around the wound has to be removed? Arent the new quick clot sponges a better solution, and do they work as well as the powder?

As to the burns: depends on who you ask. I've seen some reports of burns, some reports of no burns. QuikClot has come up with a new formulation, however, that is supposed to remain relatively cool during application. That formulation is also what's in the sponges.

A lot of what I've read does indicate that the sponges are more useful, as you can pack them into a wound and secure them in place. There were occasional instances of severe bleeding (which is when you really need the stuff!) where powder-form hemostatic agents (not just QuikClot) were washed away before they could act.

The interesting thing about these clotting agents is that there are a number of different brands out there (QuikClot, Hemcon, TraumaDex, Celox, etc.) and they basically all are made in completely different ways, each with their own pros and cons.

[WellAdvised]

I know somebody who used quickclot for real on a glassing injury. He said it worked excellently.

The medical staff said that they had problems irrigating the wound, but they said it had done a good job in stopping major blood loss.

Do any of you get issued this?

[MDEMT280]

Well, as I think I mentioned, it's not issued, and it's not expressly authorized, so technically, I shouldn't have it. :D But as they say, better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

As for irrigating, that's an issue with QuikClot. As I understand it, it works to absorb the fluids in the blood away from the blood's clotting agents. As such, the clotting agents become concentrated, and make a clot quicker.

However, when this absorbing occurs, QuikClot (at least the old formulation) gives off heat. That's why they say to make sure to remove ALL dry powder/granules before irrigating, otherwise the stuff will absorb the saline irrigation and start giving off heat like there's no tomorrow.