Quick Clot Type Products
This stuff is not to be used unless for a life threatening emergency!
This is virtually the same as Quick Clot that we use in Iraq and elsewhere.
This stuff requires training to use properly. Once used, it requires SURGICAL removal!
It is to be used ONLY to control External Hemorrhage.
So, in the interest of safe overland travel and education, here is your period if instruction on the proper use of Quick Clot:
External Hemorrhage- Loss of blood from wounds that damage the large vessels of the extremities are a common source of massive external hemorrhage in combat. Some examples include, bleeding from open fractures and large, deep, soft tissue wounds.
(1) Signs and Symptoms – obvious bleeding from a wound
(a) Types of Hemorrhage - Hemorrhage is defined as blood escaping from arteries, veins or capillaries.
1. Arterial - If an artery near the surface is cut, BRIGHT RED BLOOD will gush out in spurts that are synchronized with the heartbeat.
2. Venous – Blood from the veins is DARK RED. Venous bleeding is characterized by a steady, even flow.
3. Capillary - Capillary blood is usually BRICK RED in color. If capillaries bleed, the blood oozes out slowly.
(2) Causes of External Hemorrhage
(a) Penetrating wounds
1. Gunshot
2. Stab wounds
3. Shrapnel wounds
(b) De-gloving Wounds
4. Vehicle accidents
(c) Amputation Wounds
HEMOSTATIC AGENTS
a. Purpose - When applied to a wound, it will cause the wound to develop a clot that will stop the flow of blood and will remain within the wound until removed by medical personnel. The hemostatic agent is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Each Marine is issued one packet of QuikClot in their Individual First Aid Kit.
b. Indications
(1) Moderate to severe venous or arterial bleeding
c. QuikClot: works through rapid adsorption of liquid in blood
(1) This adsorption is purely physical, not chemical in nature. (Adsorption: physical adhesion of molecules to another substance, not a chemical reaction)
(2) In the presence of normal blood, this adsorption causes only a slight body temperature increase to approximately 109-114 degrees F. If blood is extremely diluted, exothermic reaction can be more extreme.
(3) In the presence of liquids like WATER, more extreme heat can be generated by this adsorption. This reaction lasts approximately 4-5 seconds and then ENDS. Once granules have adsorbed all of the liquid possible, they go INERT.
(4) Exothermia (production of heat) is controlled by adjusting the balance between volume of water and volume of product.
(5) Flooding the granules with water can instantly arrest the exothermic reaction and adsorption.
(6) Application Procedures
(a) Apply direct, firm pressure to wound using sterile gauze dressing or best available substitute.
(b) If bleeding is stopped or nearly stopped after 1 minute of pressure, wrap and tie bandage to maintain pressure on wound and seek medical care.
(c) If moderate to severe bleeding continues after 90 seconds, hold QuikClot away from face and tear open at tabs.
(d) Remove previously applied bandages, making certain to wipe away as much excess blood and liquid as possible.
(e) Pour (DO NOT DUMP) QuikClot in a back-and-forth motion onto the source of bleeding. QuikClot changes from its dry light beige color to a dark color as it adsorbs moisture and begins to clot.
(f) Stop pouring promptly when you see a dry layer of QuikClot on wound indicating that there is no more blood to adsorb.
(g) Immediately bandage wound and apply firm direct pressure.
(h) Transport patient as soon as possible to a medical facility.
(i) Be certain QuikClot package accompanies patient so physician or medical staff can follow directions to remove QuikClot properly.
(7) Precautions
(a) Sucking chest wounds- Use particular care around sucking chest wounds to prevent QuikClot from being aspirated into lungs.
(b) Spurting blood- The caregiver should be aware that continuously spurting blood from a small diameter puncture wound could create a high-pressure exit path. The source of such bleeding may be too far away from the entry point for QuikClot to be effective.
1. Slow the bleed with a tourniquet for extremity hemorrhage or pressure points for non-extremity hemorrhage, and then apply the QuikClot in conjunction with a pressure dressing. SLOWLY release the tourniquet or pressure point. Reassess effectiveness.
(c) Head and scalp wounds produce profuse volumes of blood that can cause discomfort from the exothermic reaction during application of QuikClot.
(d) Do not ingest or inhale QuikClot!
1. If ingested, drink several glasses of water and seek medical help
2. Keep away from the face when opening or pouring
3. If inhaled, move to open air or a well-ventilated space
(e) Do not use bare hands to apply pressure immediately following application of QuikClot, it will get very hot!
(f) If adsorbing granules cause heat discomfort to skin, promptly brush away and/or flood with water.
(g) Sterility not guaranteed if package is damaged or opened. Safely discard damaged open packages.
(h) Keep away from children!!!
NOTE: If you cannot see where the hemorrhage is coming from, DO NOT use QuikClot. It must be poured on the hemorrhaging vessel to be effective.
REFERENCE: Fleet Marine Force Corpsman Field Manual, 2006. United States Navy
