HARDCORE OUTDOOR-GEAR REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HUNTING, HIKING, SEARCH AND RESCUE, MILITARY: Switching From Celox To Quikclot

HARDCORE OUTDOOR-GEAR REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HUNTING, HIKING, SEARCH AND RESCUE, MILITARY

HARDCORE OUTDOOR-GEAR REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HUNTING, HIKING, SEARCH AND RESCUE, MILITARY: Switching From Celox To Quikclot

Switching From Celox To Quikclot

On the left is Celox Hemostatic Granules. On the right is Quikclot Combat Gauze. I am switching from Celox to Quikclot in my personal first aid kit and BLS jump bag.

Hemostatic agents like Celox and Quikclot stop major bleeds quickly which is why I carry them. I originally chose Celox because the Quikclot equivalent at the time generated a lot of heat and in some cases actually burned. While arresting a major bleed is more important than the discomfort of a resulting burn why use a product that creates more discomfort and problems, right? So I went with the Celox which worked just as well and didn't burn.

All that has changed. Quikclot no longer burns and now comes in the form of super medicated wonder gauze that is made to pack a wound which just intuitively makes more sense to me than powder or granules. The bigger reason I am switching is because I have talked to several medics with over a dozen tours between them in Iraq and Afghanistan who say they use the Combat Gauze (either the Z-Fold pictured above or a standard roll) and it works. That is good enough for me. Done deal.

Now, you don't have to be a hot shot field medic or be shot at on a regular basis to justify carrying a package of this stuff. It makes sense for any serious outdoorsman too. You have an AD and end up with an extra hole in one of your lower extremities. You take a big header off your mountain bike and impale yourself on a stab. You damn near cut a finger off cleaning a bull elk. Whatever it is, if there is a lot of red stuff oozing, squirting, gushing, flowing or otherwise hemorrhaging out of a body and onto the ground, this is and some good old fashioned direct pressure is going to help big time. I suggest you get a couple and put them in your permanent kit...just in case.

They weigh less than an ounce and measure 6x4x.5 inches packaged.

Here is a pretty good little training video on how the product is supposed to be used. Pretty amazing product. Gotta love technology.

Thanks.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd. Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.