I have had to use Quikclot gauze pads on several occasions to deal with otherwise uncontrollable bleeds. I use Coumadin blood thinner due to a heart condition and any cut can be a major bleeding event. A buddy who was a Marine corpsman told me about Quikclot after he returned from Iraq and I bought some for my home and travel first aid kits.
Quikclot has undergone a couple of generational changes as it was originally issued in a powder form and, although it worked excellently to stem a bad bleed, there were instances where there was a significant exothermic reaction that resulted in burns. They have changed the product to a gauze that is impregnated with a substance that causes the blood to clot, even with the blood thinner.
I have used it on myself a couple of times and it has worked extremely well. There have been several other occasions where I was able to help others who had suffered bad gashes and wounds. My neighbor slashed his arm with a reciprocating saw and the blood was just pouring from the cut. His wife called 911 while I grabbed my kit and pressed the Quikclot pad into his wound. By the time the paramedics arrived, I had been able to get the bleeding stopped and they were able to bandage him and take him to the ER for stitches. It took over 30 stitches to close the wound and the doc who dealt with it was amazed that we got the bleeding stopped so quickly.
In the Close Protection industry, the participants are at great risk for wounds that could be life-threatening. I keep Quikclot on hand for those times when nothing else would work. It is the type of product that you don't need often, but, when you do need it, you need it badly.
Quikclot has undergone a couple of generational changes as it was originally issued in a powder form and, although it worked excellently to stem a bad bleed, there were instances where there was a significant exothermic reaction that resulted in burns. They have changed the product to a gauze that is impregnated with a substance that causes the blood to clot, even with the blood thinner.
I have used it on myself a couple of times and it has worked extremely well. There have been several other occasions where I was able to help others who had suffered bad gashes and wounds. My neighbor slashed his arm with a reciprocating saw and the blood was just pouring from the cut. His wife called 911 while I grabbed my kit and pressed the Quikclot pad into his wound. By the time the paramedics arrived, I had been able to get the bleeding stopped and they were able to bandage him and take him to the ER for stitches. It took over 30 stitches to close the wound and the doc who dealt with it was amazed that we got the bleeding stopped so quickly.
In the Close Protection industry, the participants are at great risk for wounds that could be life-threatening. I keep Quikclot on hand for those times when nothing else would work. It is the type of product that you don't need often, but, when you do need it, you need it badly.
