PrepperMed 101: StopsBleeding Clotting Aid

Traumatic bleeding is a concern whether the emergency is as local as a car accident or as global as the mythical Zombie Apocalypse. It’s something all people should know something about and be able to handle.  This isn’t the first time Beans, Bullets, Bandages, and You has addressed the topic. We have a post on clotting aids, and another on compression bandages. This update is about the most easy-to-find clotting aid I’ve yet discovered, StopsBleeding.

Here it was, right on the shelves of our local big box store. It doesn’t get easier to find than that.

I wanted to add this update because I saw this product at our local big box store. That means it’s one of the most readily available clotting aids. This post explores how well this product StopsBleeding lines up against the research on what makes a good hemostatic agent. (“Hemostatic” is med-speak for “stopping bleeding”.) (Disclosure: We have zero links, financial or otherwise, with this product or its makers.)

What is StopsBleeding?

StopsBleeding, according to its website and associated links (1), is a new variety of amylopectin powder.  Amylopectin is the main component of the chitosan products discussed in this post on clotting aids. Chitosan products in general have a pretty good reputation for effectiveness and safety. (2,3) There’s a little concern that people with shellfish allergies might have a reaction. So far though, no such reactions have been reported that I could find.

StopsBleeding comes in multiple varieties. There is also powder and a foam sold over the counter. They are reported (by the company website) to be good for minor wounds and lacerations. There are also powders and foams available only by prescription. They are reported to be good for moderate to severe bleeding. I gather the prescription version is meant to be sold primarily to people with clotting disorders.

The company does not say what the difference is between the versions.

Earlier reading revealed that the powders are good in one way because you can add more without disturbing existing bandages or forming clots. Foams have the same benefit.

People are leery of powders though because they can be difficult to remove later. This is why the actual physicians tend to favor impregnated bandages for non-professional use.  (I am not a physician and so don’t have an opinion of value.  I report what the pros say (2,3) rather than offering advice myself.)

Difficult to remove is a problem for preppers. We can’t expect to have medical professionals just an ambulance ride away.

What does all this mean about the value of StopsBleeding?

I found in earlier reading that the Army favors the kaolin-infused bandages. Last I could find they were issuing the newer versions of QuikClot to soldiers.

Is the StopsBleeding better than the infused bandages? I don’t know.

Here are some things I do know:

• StopsBleeding appears to be the sort of product that the experts do approve of. Amylopectin is an effective blood stopper.
• Most sources agree that amylopectin powders with gauze on top stop bleeding faster than plain gauze.
• We saw the StopsBleeding at a local big box store for under $5.
• Most sources prefer non-professionals use infused bandages rather than powders.
• StopsBleeding in the over the counter versions says it’s for relatively minor wounds. Most sources suggested reserving clotting aids for serious events, when direct pressure wouldn’t stop the bleeding.

Beyond that, you decide.

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1) Kilbourne M, Keledijian K, Hess J, Scalea T, and Bochicchio, GV. 2008. Hemostatic efficacy of modified amylopectin powder in a lethal porcine model of extremity arterial injury. Annals of Emergency Medicine 51(6):804-810.

2) Khoshmohabat, H., Paydar, S., Kazemi, H. M., & Dalfardi, B. (2016). Overview of Agents Used for Emergency Hemostasis. Trauma Monthly, 21(1), e26023. http://doi.org/10.5812/traumamon.26023

3) Gordy, Stephanie D, et al. “Military applications of novel hemostatic devices.” Expert Review of Medical Devices, vol. 8, no. 1, 2011, p. 41+. Academic OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A268360120/AONE?u=north1010&sid=AONE&xid=c86f92e9. Accessed 21 Feb. 2018.

When I say ‘most sources’, here are some more of the ones I’m referring to:

4) Holcomb J1, MacPhee M, Hetz S, Harris R, Pusateri A, Hess J Efficacy of a dry fibrin sealant dressing for hemorrhage control after ballistic injury. Arch Surg. 1998 Jan;133(1):32-5.

5) Acheson EM1, Kheirabadi BS, Deguzman R, Dick EJ Jr, Holcomb JB.Comparison of hemorrhage control agents applied to lethal extremity arterial hemorrhages in swine. J Trauma. 2005 Oct;59(4):865-74; discussion 874-5.

6) Sigal, A., Martin, A., & Ong, A. (2017). Availability and use of hemostatic agents in prehospital trauma patients in Pennsylvania translation from the military to the civilian setting. Open Access Emergency Medicine : OAEM, 9, 47–52. http://doi.org/10.2147/OAEM.S134657

7) Conley, S. P., Littlejohn, L. F., Henao, J., DeVito, S. S., & Zarow, G. J. (2015). Control of junctional hemorrhage in a consensus swine model with hemostatic gauze products following minimal training.Military Medicine, 180(11), 1189.

8) Acheson EM1, Kheirabadi BS, Deguzman R, Dick EJ Jr, Holcomb JB.Comparison of hemorrhage control agents applied to lethal extremity arterial hemorrhages in swine. J Trauma. 2005 Oct;59(4):865-74; discussion 874-5.