Why Every First Aid Kit Should Include Stop Bleeding Products
The average human being has around 5.7 liters (1.5 gallons) of blood pumping around their body at any given time. If you are unfortunate enough to have an accident involving blood loss, there can be serious consequences.
Lose enough, say 2 liters, and your life could be in danger. Clearly, stemming that blood flow and keeping as much as possible in your body is of paramount importance.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the stop bleeding products on the market. We’ll see why they deserve a place in our first aid kits.
How Do Stop Bleeding Products Work?
Stop bleeding products use a few different mechanisms to stop the flow of blood. Some form a physical barrier whereas some use a substance applied to the wound.
Stop Bleeding Powder and Celox
One of the most common is a stop bleeding powder that you can put onto relatively small, easy-to-access wounds. After applying the powder, apply pressure for up to 30 seconds. This forms an instant scab or seal.
Another type uses a substance called celox. This works in a very similar way to stop bleeding powder. Apply it to the wound and unlike a powder, it forms a soft gel. This makes it more versatile than powder.
This type can be useful for people taking anticoagulant medication. This includes common drugs such as warfarin and heparin which doctors use to reduce the risk of blood clots. However, they also put people at greater risk of bleeding out.
Celox can work even at low temperatures and does not rely on the body’s natural clotting mechanism. Afterward, it can be safely reabsorbed into the body.
This is often supplied in a stop bleeding kit. The kit provides dressings and gauze pads of various sizes and a celox granule pack.
Physical Barriers
The second category of stop bleeding products is hemostatic gauze dressings. Like a traditional gauze dressing, they stick to the wound, absorb the blood and stop the bleeding. This is also safe to use for nose bleeds.
Hemostatic gauze dressings usually stop the flow of blood in under a minute. They can also help the wound to heal, as they protect it from infection and foreign objects. They are water-soluble for removal later.
Tourniquet Method
When thinking about how to stop bleeding a tourniquet is probably one of the first things that comes to mind.
A tourniquet works by constricting large blood vessels and stopping the blood from flowing. You can use them on arms and legs. A tourniquet should be positioned at least 5cm above the wound.
Tourniquets should be used carefully and by those trained to use them. Incorrect or prolonged use of a tourniquet can have serious medical consequences. Consider keeping a reusable tourniquet in your first aid kid for serious situations.
Products for Nose Bleeds
Some products on the market, such as Nasalcease, are specially designed to treat nose bleeds. The same product can also be used to treat minor cuts and nicks.
Nosebleeds are very common and can happen at any age. They are much more common in young children and teenagers though. If you’re working with young people, it’s a good idea to keep a pack on hand in your first aid kit.
Why We Need Them In Our First Aid Kits
Most online lists of items to include in a first aid kit fail to mention stop bleeding products. But whether the bleeding is minimal or major, stopping bleeding until medical help comes will aid in recovery.
In the case of major bleeding, a serious risk is shock. Shock refers to a sudden drop in the flow of blood around the body. The organs no longer receive the oxygen they need to function.
If treatment is not quickly provided, shock can lead to organ damage. It can even be fatal. All first aid kits should contain at least one pack of stop bleeding powder that can be used to treat a larger wound.
When You Might Need Stop Bleeding Products
Nobody plans to get a wound or laceration while out enjoying themselves. However, they can often occur when it’s most difficult to get immediate help. If you and your family enjoy hiking, you may find yourself miles from help and with a wound to treat.
People who enjoy sports of all kinds are also more prone to accidental cuts, scrapes, and lacerations. Ever fallen off your bike? It’s usually the case that we do that when it’s most inconvenient.
If you take part in adventure sports, stop bleeding products should be an essential part of your kit. Whether you’re climbing, white water rafting, or mountaineering, you’re at a higher risk than most of picking up a wound. Stop bleeding products could help tide you over until you can get medical help.
Whether you like adventure sports or not, it’s always wise to keep stop bleeding products in both your home and car first aid kits.
When Working with Children
If you have young ones of your own, or work with children, stop bleeding products are invaluable. Kids hate the sight of blood, and it can make them even more distressed. A quick application of one of the aforementioned products can make the cut look better in no time.
Kids and teenagers are also more prone to nosebleeds. They’re distressing and embarrassing at any age. Having some celox dressings or nose bleed dressings on hand can help to stem the flow, and reduce embarrassment.
Stock up on Stop Bleeding Products Today
Stop bleeding products should not be an afterthought when putting together your first aid kit. They can stem serious blood loss, or sometimes just calm someone down. Either way, they’re an invaluable tool that everyone should stock up on.
At First Aid Supplies Online, we understand the importance of stop bleeding products. We stock a wide range of all types. From handy kits for family first aid kits to tourniquets and large wound treatments for larger kits.
Check out our range of stop bleeding products today!