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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Quikclot
 
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Georgiaboy
08/10/2011 06:34PM
  
Celox been carrying it for a few years now. Also use bandages call hemostat. I have used the hemostat before and they work well. I would use the Celox in a second if I thought it was the only way I could stop bleeding.
To each his own I also carry suture/stri-strips and super glue.
I also carry an epipen you never know about an allergic reaction.
 
yellowcanoe
08/10/2011 03:10PM
  
Why don't you use balsam tree sap.. Just puncture a blister or two on the trunk. It won't hurt the tree.
Balsam sap is known for its coagualant and antiseptic properties among old woods trappers. Works much better than nu skin.


http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_balsam_fir.htm
 
Savage Voyageur
08/09/2011 06:50PM
  
The recent threads about DIY first aid kits and the axe the the leg got me thinking about what I would have done. I looked up quikclot and there are three types, powder, sponge and gauze. What type would you recommend for my First-Aid kit and why. Thanks
 
butthead
08/09/2011 08:10PM
  
QuikClot® SPORT™ SILVER
Gauze/sponge, for simplicity of application, and antiseptic properties.
I carry several of the smaller size.


butthead
 
Darcyn
08/09/2011 09:13PM
  
Quick clot sponge its the safest to use. If you ever use one on yourself or someone else make sure you send the package along to ER
because cleaning and treating the injury changes a bit after using.
 
tjburns1
08/09/2011 09:49PM
  
. I have seen quikclot in action and while it is effective, It can cause problems once you get to a medical facility, which is not a huge concern while bleeding out in the BWCA. The gauze or sponge is the only way to go. I've seen people get the powder blown back into their face and have to have it surgically removed causing permanant eye problems.
 
Wetlander
08/10/2011 09:16AM
  
I took a Wilderness First Responder Course this spring and they told us to never use quick clot. If I remember right it was something to do with the possibility of it causing chemical burns? Anyway, you can get quick clot anywhere and yet the experts still preach using gauze and applying pressure. That being said, it doesn't go in my kit.
 
mc2mens
08/09/2011 10:25PM
  
Good question SV. Not an expert. I'll sit back and listen to those that know.
 
Savage Voyageur
08/10/2011 10:48AM
  
Thanks for the advice all, I guess I will stick with gauze and big pads and apply pressure.
 
bmaines
08/10/2011 11:22AM
  
Big fan of the QuikClot gauze. Have seen it in action, and it does work. No worries about chemical burns with the gauze.
 
Darcyn
08/10/2011 10:50AM
  
quote Wetland: "I took a Wilderness First Responder Course this spring and they told us to never use quick clot. If I remember right it was something to do with the possibility of it causing chemical burns? Anyway, you can get quick clot anywhere and yet the experts still preach using gauze and applying pressure. That being said, it doesn't go in my kit."



The original quickclot used in a combat kit could reach temps to
300 degrees. it has been modified scene then and is much safer to
use. remember its designed for severe trauma were bleed out a high
risk. I carry hope I never need to use in the B-dub because that
means do you have to get extraction or can the person make it to a
EP. Quickclot's a great option but their are options to use before
you go to the Quickclot including pressure point and pressure bandages.
These options very each situation. ex. are you solo or with a group
This is were I think Wetlander will agree more EMS training the better
so if the worse ever happened you could evaluate and handle the situation without causing more trauma.
 
butthead
08/10/2011 12:08PM
  
I'd like to point out that "Quickclot" is a specific brand of a variety of hemostatic agents, made from different materials, style of application, and use.


"Reply by Doc82 on February 19, 2009 at 10:07pm
Quikclot® is only one of several hemostatic agents in use today.


Quikclot® at it was first designed produces an exothermic reaction (measured in excess of 90° C) that has been the cause of secondary burns to the patient further complicating the original wound. Quikclot® is power made from zeolite that stops bleeding by absorbing the liquid portion of the blood leaving the solids, blood cells etc, to form the clot. Quikclot® was initially available in the granule (powder form) and in a mesh bag called Quikclot ACS®. When using Quikclot®, you have to ensure you use a 2:1 ratio of product to blood to ensure that you don't cause the severe exothermic reaction that many have mentioned. Also Quikclot® is water activated, that means if it gets in the eyes, mouth, nose, etc, it will cause unintentional injury to others.


Due to the exothermic reaction and issues from trying to apply a power in a windy environment the makers of Quikclot® developed Quikclot ACS+® which is a 100g single sponge which doesn't reach over 70° F.


CELOX® is a newer emergency hemostatic agent. It's a blend of 3 different materials, and has Chitosan in it. Chitosan is a highly purified polysaccharide derivative of shrimp shells. CELOX® does not produce an exothermic reaction, will work in hypothermic conditions, and will clot heparinized blood. CELOX® is also safe to use on all areas of the body.


Quikclot Combat Gauze™ combines surgical gauze with a proprietary inorganic material that stops arterial and venous bleeding in seconds -- even more rapidly in this format than earlier Z-Medica products. Based on a different mineral than zeolite-based Quikclot products, it generates no heat. It shares the benefit of being inert and non-allergenic.


The Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC) made the decision to recommend Quikclot Combat Gauze™ after reviewing test reports on a number of hemostatic products. Quikclot Combat Gauze™ was the only one of these products tested by both the Naval Medical Research Center and the U.S. Army Institute for Surgical Research. In addition to test efficacy, the committee cited a number of other factors in according Quikclot Combat Gauze™ the number one position:
• Preference for the gauze delivery format, which is familiar to combat medical personnel.
• Ability of QuikClot Combat Gauze to be shaped to any wound and to reach bleeding vessels in penetrating wounds.
• Ease of removal once hemostasis has been achieved.


WoundStat™ is a 5.5 ounce package of non-metallic clay mineral (smectite) composed of hydrated sodium, calcium, aluminum & silicate. WoundStat™ swells when exposed to water or blood and forms a clay-like material with high plasticity and tissue adhesiveness. WoundStat™ is currently the last resort for military medics under guidance from CoTCCC.


However, WoundStat™ was found to have a severe risk of causing occlusive thrombosis (clotting leading to blockage), deeper inside the body than simply at the wound site. The Army has issued directives for all WoundStat™ to be turned in, and its use to be discontinued pending further testing.


Here are two very important messages regarding WoundStat™
First, the FRAGO that went out regarding discontinuation of WoundStat™:
FROM CDRUSAMMA FT DETRICK MD//MCMR-MMO-SO//
***PRIORITY***MESSAGE NOT RELEASED
****************UNCLASSIFIED****************


SUBJ: T0B-1218-002
NEW SOLDIER HEMOSTATIC DRESSINS / WOUNDSTAT / MEDICAL INFORMATION



REFERENCE: ALARACT 239/2008, NEW SOLDIER HEMOSTATIC DRESSINGS


1. THIS FRAGO DIRECTS TEMPORARY CESSATION OF USE OF WOUNDSTAT™ (WS) BY 68W COMBAT MEDICS AND ALL OTHER PROVIDERS DUE TO NEWLY IDENTIFIED SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PRODUCT, PENDING FURTHER EVALUATION.


2. WOUNDSTAT™ WILL BE TURNED IN TO THE MEDICAL SUPPLY SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY. UNIT SUPPLY PERSONNEL WILL TURN -IN WOUNDSTAT™ TO THEIR SUPPORTING MEDICAL SUPPLY SUPPORT ACTIVITY (SSA). THE ARMY MEDICAL SSA WILL REVIEW TRANSACTION REGISTERS AND COMPLETE 100% CONTACT WITH UNITS ISSUED WS TO ENSURE TURN-IN OF PRODUCT. ARCENT WILL SUBMIT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WS ISSUED AND COLLECTED TO OTSG. THE ARMY MEDICAL SSA WILL HOLD WS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE OR UNTIL DISPOSITION
INSTRUCTIONS ARE RECEIVED FROM OTSG.


3. DATA FROM THE US ARMY INSTITUTE OF SURGICAL RESEARCH (USAISR) SHOW THAT WS IS ASSOCIATED WITH A HIGH INCIDENCE OF BLOOD VESSEL THROMBOSIS AND DAMAGE TO THE VESSEL WALL. COMBAT GAUZE AND PLAIN KERLIX WERE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH SIMILAR FINDINGS. USE OF COMBAT GAUZE IS SAFE, ACCORDING TO CURRENT STUDIES, AND DISTRIBUTION AND USE SHOULD CONTINUE.


4. MEDICAL PERSONNEL MUST LOCATE AND EXAMINE ALL CASUALTIES PREVIOUSLY TREATED WITH WS TO VERIFY ADEQUATE LIMB PERFUSION, IF WS WAS USED TO TREAT EXTREMITYWOUNDS.


5. EXPIRATION DATE CANNOT BE DETERMINED.


And, an email originating from Frank Butler (whose name should be immediately familiar if you've been doing your homework):
-----Original Message-----
From: Butler, Frank K., CTR
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 12:35 PM
Subject: WoundStat Message


Forwarded FYI.


The attached message reflects safety concerns about WoundStat presented by Dr. Bijan Kheirabadi from the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at the recent Special Operations Medical Association conference.


Dr. Kheirabadi observed that 7 of 8 animals on whom WoundStat was used in a carotid artery bleeding model developed occlusive thrombosis and had no blood flow 2 hours after suturing of the wound.


The implications of this study for both WoundStat and hemostatic agent testing in general are currently under review.


Note that WoundStat currently serves as the "Last Resort" of medics' options to stop life-threatening external hemorrhage. TCCC guidelines call for tourniquets, Combat Gauze, and WoundStat in that order. When used appropriately, WoundStat is the medic's last intervention to stop a casualty from bleeding to death from external hemorrhage in a location not amenable to tourniquet use.


V/R -


Frank


Frank K. Butler, Jr. M.D.
CAPT MC USN (RET)
Chairman
Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care


The summary of Dr. Kheirabadi's presentation should be up on the SOMA site sometime in the near future. Further testing and independent evaluations will undoubtedly happen, and will either put the final nails in WoundStat's coffin, or possibly out it as safe for use with an improved protocol.


I apologise for the long post but I hope this has given you a quick rundown of several of the newer hemostatic agents."


quoted from


butthead
 
Wetlander
08/10/2011 01:33PM
  
I think this can all be summed up by saying that it is important to know the limitations of these products including when and where they are most appropriately used. That is probably stating the obvious. However, you wouldn't want the "fix" to a problem inadvertently make the problem worse. Just my 2 cents.


Thanks for all of the details Butthead. Your post gave me more info about the products available than I knew prior. Seems like the product has been improved upon greatly. If I was a person that had some of the older/original quikclot I would consider updating to one of the newer products. BUT I have not been trained to use it, so it won't come with me.