Quote:
Originally Posted by ReconDoc242
I think a big reason for this is that a few units have not phased out the old quik-clot yet. I have personally ran into the older stuff in country a few times, only way to discern it is recognition of the old package....and obviously the date.
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All,
This is a great thread. I wish all in the US military dealing with the injured / bleeding could read this. The reason for my post is to bolster what ReconDoc 242 mentioned.
I am just back from a course in CONUS. There the combat medic held up the Quikclot dressing and showed the other health care professionals the first generation, olive drab, tear top package of Quik Clot. I just about cringed. The medic told about 90 of us that the military had these new hemostatic bandages for patients "bleeding to death". Well, this was bad information as we are now into the "3rd generation" of hemostatic bandages with a major decrease in exothermic reactions. The medic had even mentioned how severe the burning could be. I realized that the medic was incorrect as we no longer use that formulation and that those that would actually be treating in theater and might see these sorts of bandages would be significant number, but they would potentially come in contact with some form of these dressings applied as previously listed here in this thread. I also know that the military surgeons know better than to use the first generation QuikClot having just been through the EWSC (Emergency War Surgery Course).
If there is any "older stuff" laying around like the first generation QuikClot that can seriously injure the badly wounded even more, we need to pull it ourselves and destroy those products in theater or tell those medics to get rid of it. Quik Clot (first generation) is great from a historical perspective but that is it. I doubt anyone would use a muzzle loaded rifle in today's armed conflicts, and I would not use the first generation QuikClot. Medicine has pushed to newer heights with what we learned earlier in OIF and OEF. By the way, I have no financial ties to QuikClot or any of the others. I do believe in tourniquets though, in theater and in the civilian world, but again no financial ties here either.
At this course, I was asked finally if I had any comments (where do you start) and I did mention that newer products were available and that if you see this older product, do not get it in your eyes, mouth or sinuses. I told them to cover it with a moist bandage and pack it until you are in the OR, especially when there is rotator wash from any helicopter or other aircraft.
If there is anyone going into theater, please educate people on these fine points. People need to get caught up on these new products (problems and dangers, risks and benefits). I wish every medical personnel going over to Iraq or Afghanistan and beyond could join this site and read this thread.
Anyway, ReconDoc 242, you are completely correct.
My best to all,
Dutch
Hybrid Mode
