Aeromedix.com - flightBlog - Essentials news concerning safety and medical issues in AVIATION

With the SPOT Satellite Messenger, you and your loved ones have peace of mind knowing help is always within reach. SPOT is the only device of its kind, using the GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, and then sending its location – with a link to Google Maps™ – and a pre-programmed message via a commercial satellite network. And unlike Personal Locator Beacons, SPOT does more than just call for help. Tracking your progress, checking in with loved ones, and non-emergency assistance are also available, all at the push of a button. And because it uses 100% satellite technology, SPOT works around the world – even where cell phones don’t.

When it comes to controlling severe bleeding, QuikClot is the best thing since sliced bread.

QuikClot is a very small beaded material that absorbs smaller water molecules from the blood leaving platelet and clotting factors that stops even severe arterial and venous bleeding.  Experiments on pigs with lacerations of the femoral artery in the groin showed a reduction of fatalities in this almost always fatal wound by 50%.  (This exact type of injury occurred to a local veterinarian working on a horse by himself near our office.  He unfortunately died at the scene.  I will always wonder if he would have been saved if QuikClot had been available.)                     

QuikClot is particularly useful whenever bleeding cannot be stopped by a tourniquet or direct pressure like the head, neck, chest and abdomen, the material aids homeostasis (control of bleeding) in the limbs with a tourniquet or direct pressure.  Instructions for use are basic–pour the granules over the wound until you can see a layer of the beads.  More than than is not necessary.  For the impregnated sponge type, just stuff the sponges into the wound.  The material is removed by irrigation when the appropriate definitive medical care can be delivery.

Only the amount of QuikClot that is necessary to cover the wound should be used since the material creates some heat.  This is not a big problem and the amount of material is directly related to the amount of heat.  Once the beads cover the wound, do not put any more on.  Once the QuikClot absorbs the fluids, the heat stops so it the heat only lasts for a few seconds.

Unfortunately, once a package is opened, it cannot be used later since the absorption of humidity renders QuikClot inactive.  The package can be used on multiple wounds or multiple patients once opened.

The shelf life of an unopened package is three years with the only restriction being not to leave it in direct sunlight.  It can be exposed to ambient heat and cold.

When it first came out a few  years ago for military use, I wanted Aeromedix to carry it but they only sold in large quantities unsuitable for individual use.  Z-Medica, the manufacturer, has now recognized the consumer and EMS market so they have made packaging consumer friendly.  Aeromedix only carries the prescription level QuikClot beads and the QuikClot ACS which is a fabric sponge impregnated with the beads, not the over the counter formulation, which does not work as well.

I recommend everyone carry QuikClot in their first aid kit and have it on the self in every shop where injuries can occur.  This stuff is truly lifesaving!

“Dear Dr. Blue,
I can’t thank you enough for your Relief Band. It has changed my life for ever.  I have been really sick travelling since I was a child and at 45,  I discovered your Relief Band.  I can now travel freely without the pain and frustration of being sick.  I just ordered a second relief band (just in case the old one stopped working). I always keep the Relief Band close.  Is has been a real life saver.  

Thank you again.” - Diane Mastrogiuseppe

The following is an open letter from our friends at AircraftOwner…

“Dear Fellow Aircraft Owners & Pilots:

Your action to help stop user fees for General Aviation is needed immediately.

Please contact your U.S. Senators today. This is vitally important to the future of General Aviation. The United States Senate is considering a bill that will impose a $25 per-flight air traffic control user fee that would harm general aviation. This is unacceptable and may well be the beginning of a down hill slide toward more and more user fees. This Senate bill, #S. 1300, is called “Aviation Investment and Modernization Act of 2007.” Here is what I urge you to do as soon as you can:

1. Contact your U.S. Senators TODAY and tell them you strongly reject the terms calling for user fees as contained in Senate bill: S. 1300.

2. Tell your senators that you support the House version, “FAA Reauthorization ACT of 2007,” because is does not contain user fees. The House version of the bill, which they should support, is: H.R. 2881.

The U.S. Senate will be considering this S. 1300 immediately so you need to call, e-mail, mail or fax your Senators now. For assistance refer to these GA web sites:

EAA.org (with sample letters)

AOPA.org Aviation Across America

Contact information for your Senators can be found here: Senate.gov

And, for your Congressperson, at this address: House.gov

The airline industry is strongly supporting user fees which will be harmful against General Aviation. They have mobilized like never before to get these fees imposed on you and me. All of General Aviation needs to work to stop these user fees now.

I urge you to contact your Senators today. Tell them you do not want User Fees on General Aviation.

Sincerely,

Greg Herrick
Publisher -  AircraftOwner 

PS: Also, contact your Members of the U.S. Congress and tell them you support their House bill, H.R. 2881, the “FAA Reauthorization ACT of 2007,” because it does not include user fees for General Aviation.”