First Aid Essentials for Climbers - (Celox & Celox-A)

[hesslemount]

Hi All

 

Reason for starting this particular thread is if anyone had ideas for "the essential" First Aid kit.

 

I came across a product called Celox hemostatic granules (see link below) and ALWAYS carry. There's also Celox - A for deeper wounds. Basically you sprinkle them on large wounds and they clot the blood very rapidly and prevent potentially life threatening blood loss. I reckon EVERY climber should have it in their kit. If you purchase a packet of either Celox or Celox-A carry it in a tupperware and clearly label "Blood Stopper - Just Sprinkle on wound" making it easy for your workmen to identify. Also make your work mates aware that you carry it. Let's face it even though tree surgery work has improved it's H&S tenfold in the past ten years; it's still a dangerous occupation.

 

Going to work without it is like going to Bangok without your rubbers.

 

http://www.sammedical.com/celox_original.html

http://www.sammedical.com/celox_a.html

Edited December 11, 2008 by hesslemount

[Nick Waring]

Heres a another thread about it.

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3600&highlight=Celox

[hesslemount]

Thanks for that. The search engine in this forum finds nothing. I did try and was hoping I wasn't replicating. I tried first aid as a keyword in search and as always got zero hits but I also get zero for "knot"!

[Nick Waring]

hmm... thats strange, i typed celox into the search engine on here, and it came up at the top.

[Matt McAulay]

I always make sure ive got super glue and gaffer tape with me.

[hesslemount]

hmm... thats strange, i typed celox into the search engine on here, and it came up at the top.

 

I type Celox in and it comes up with 1 search result ... mine. Also "knot" produces 3 results which seems a little conservative for an Arborist Forum. Great site but the search engine definitely needs some reconfiguration.

[Tim Williams]

While this seems like a good idea there are a few questions pointed out by my lady (A senior sister specialising in trauma in A+E) which would need answering, firstly while I realise that chainsaw clothing doesn't always stop a running saw injuries are very rarely of such a serious magnitude that they are so life threatening that either a paramedic or air ambulance could not get to you in time. secondly although the video shows how easilly the clot can be removed once bleeding has stopped the cut shown was very different (they used a scalpel) to a chainsaw injury and quick clot (a brand name) would be quite difficult to clean up from a ragged chainsaw cut so the wound could be repaired. thirdly how many tree surgeons would be temped to use it on fairly minor cuts e.g ones requiring a few stitches where a normal compression bandage would do therefore taking more time up in A+E due to having to clean it out. I do however think that there maybe a case of having a pack in the team first aid kit but only for use where everything else has failed.

[Andy Collins]

I carry the Celox to compliment my kit, not replace anything. if I or a colleague is suffering rapid blood loss, it is part of the available arsenal to stem the flow. Good judgement has to prevail, but saying this, i should also like to remind you that shock can kill, and a large loss of blood can lead to this, seeing your very life-force gushing out is not a nice experience. So I would say that in such a case, Celox would be most handy too. Personally, I'd rather tie up an extra 5mins of A&E's precious time, (which I have paid for) than be lying out on the marble slab.

[arbogrunt]

When I did my remote areas FA course, they told us to use quik-clot after direct pressure, etc had failed. I've also got a CAT-tourniquet. Its good to have this stuff, especially if you work out in the cuds and its going to take the paramedics a while to get to you.

[Tim Williams]

As you pointed out andy good judgement has to prevail, I agree with you that it should be one weapon in the arsenal but one that should be used as a last resort,