A Warning Re Quikclot

[Ronnie]

Hi there

I have been considering getting some Quikclot haemostat products to put in the FAK for major trauma.

I was talking to a military medic today - he has 4 tours in war zones under his belt and has instructor qualifications. He told me that the British Army don't use Quikclot granules any more. Basically, if it blows about and gets in your eyes it can cause corneal damage due it being a very powerful dehydrating agent. This has happened a number of times in the field. The Quikclot sponge dressings were developed to address this problem and should be safe in this regard.

However, British Army medics now use Celox products. This is a higher tech system which combines specifically with blood, rather than water - to gel and provide topical clotting.

It's a good enough recommendation for me. Whatever heamostat you choose, it is probably wise to avoid Quikclot granulated products.

 

[scottishwolf]

Thanks for the heads up mate , I'll look into replacing mine with something else asap.

 

[Greg]

Good call fella! Thanks

 

[Shewie]

Thanks for this Ronnie, I was looking at getting some Quikclot myself just last week from Fentons. Will check out the Celox stuff now though.

 

[Ronnie]

Celox is based on chitosan. The guy I spoke to said it was derived from prawns - it is claimed that it's safe for folks with shellfish allergies but can't find any concrete research on that despite a cursory check.

Celox Website - but that might not be a balanced perspective

BTW - no affiliation to company, no financial interest, yadda yadda

 

[3bears]

I suppose now is not a good time to mention I've used superglue in the past.....

 

[Ronnie]

Superglue is useful for wound closure - but if you're bleeding like a stuck pig it's not going to bond. You need to stop the bleeding first. For minor and moderate stuff pressure will do this quite nicely. Haemostat is for proper OMG bleeding out scenarios.

 

[CBJ]

Thanks for the heads up on this

Craig

 

[Limaed]

I heard a simular story about an American serviceman who ripped the bag open with his teeth to administer the granules to an injured collegue. Most of them went in his mouth obstructing his airway and causing considerable burns. Not reccommended. The Celox bandages are in widespread use in the military now although their not cheap to buy.

 

[Itzal]

Superglue is useful for wound closure - but if you're bleeding like a stuck pig it's not going to bond. You need to stop the bleeding first. For minor and moderate stuff pressure will do this quite nicely. Haemostat is for proper OMG bleeding out scenarios.

Super glue is good as a stop gap but it begins to poison you straight away, not serious but still you need to seek proper medical attention.

 

[zarkwon]

How much????:yikes:

 

[Itzal]

How much????:yikes:

All the clotting agents where expensive when they first came out, really good bit of kit IF used properly.

 

[FGYT]

Quick clot now dosnt build up so much heat and is mostly sold in pads so you dont pour powder on wounds just slap the pad on

ATB

Duncan

 

[absw]

The powder is also harder to remove once you get to hospital apparently, compared to the sponges which peel away in one piece.

 

[Nat]

I'm under going predeployment training and they've phased out quickclot because it's dust and blows about which can course nasty damage to your eyes and is a pain in the backside once you reach a field hospital.
Celox is now the choice as it is better and despite being made from shellfish (not just prawns) it is usable on people who have a shellfish allergy. Being in strip form, it is also easier to remove once you've reached better medical facilities. The recent course i just completed confirms this.

 

[TeeDee]

and is a pain in the backside once you reach a field hospital.
.

What you using it for Nat???

 

[Nat]

What you using it for Nat???

NOT what you think

 

[Martyn]

Hi there

I have been considering getting some Quikclot haemostat products to put in the FAK for major trauma.

Does that happen often?

 

[Ronnie]

It only has to happen once.

 

[Martyn]

It only has to happen once.

True, but it strikes me as being a bit like carrying a parachute in case you fall off a tall building.