11B3XCIB
Well-Known Fanatic
I've got a few external chitosan dressings and a few combat gauze packs. The former says those allergic to shellfish should avoid using them (and the combat lifesaver courses in '05 said the same) but the newer combat gauze should be fine. I would not use the plain powders unless that was the ONLY option. The powder is exothermic and reaches triple digit temps...OUCH. Not to mention...use it in the wind and get it in your eyes...severe ocular burns/blindness. The gauze isn't exothermic and won't blind you...also great because tourniquets are only useful on extremities and Israeli pressure dressings don't get into the wound (use in conjunction with Kerlix in some cases).
WARNING, VIDEO IS NOT FOR SQUEAMISH:
Skip to :50 seconds. This is a video of a test of Quik Clot gauze being packed into severed femoral artery on a pig and how quickly the bleeding from a would-be fatal wound is stopped.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SktWh8rcqaQ&feature=related
On a side note, I have not been able to get ahold of a live person and my messages haven't been returned from the local Red Cross about the availability of the free 1st Aid books. I'll see if I can find some accessible Special Forces medical handbooks for download. These are highly comprehensive and great medical references for combat care.
WARNING, VIDEO IS NOT FOR SQUEAMISH:
Skip to :50 seconds. This is a video of a test of Quik Clot gauze being packed into severed femoral artery on a pig and how quickly the bleeding from a would-be fatal wound is stopped.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SktWh8rcqaQ&feature=related
On a side note, I have not been able to get ahold of a live person and my messages haven't been returned from the local Red Cross about the availability of the free 1st Aid books. I'll see if I can find some accessible Special Forces medical handbooks for download. These are highly comprehensive and great medical references for combat care.
