Part of the M in MARCH. Accelerate clotting in wounds a tourniquet can't reach -- neck, axilla, groin, and deep extremity. Shop by agent type -- kaolin, chitosan, or novel formats.
Hemostatic dressings accelerate clotting where a tourniquet can't go — the neck, axilla, groin, and deep extremity wounds. CoTCCC-recommended kaolin and chitosan agents, supplied in the gauze form doctrine now favors over loose granules.
Hemostatics are part of the M in MARCH. They are packed into a wound and held under pressure — pair with wound packing technique and pressure dressings.
Hemostatic gauze does not replace the clotting cascade — it concentrates and accelerates it at the bleeding source. Kaolin is an inert mineral that activates Factor XII and the intrinsic pathway on contact, driving rapid fibrin formation. Chitosan, derived from shellfish, works independently of the cascade by carrying a positive charge that binds negatively charged red cells into a mucoadhesive plug — an advantage in a casualty who is anticoagulated or coagulopathic.
Current doctrine favors impregnated gauze over loose granules or powder. Gauze can be packed directly against the bleeding vessel deep in a wound, holds pressure, and is fully removable. Loose agents are harder to direct, can wash out of a high-flow wound, and earlier exothermic formulations risked tissue burns — which is why the original granular products were retired from recommendation.
| Agent | Mechanism | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kaolin | Activates the intrinsic clotting pathway | The most widely fielded recommended agent |
| Chitosan | Charge-based mucoadhesive plug | Works even with impaired clotting |
It is used to control compressible bleeding that a tourniquet cannot reach, such as wounds to the neck, armpit, groin, and deep in an extremity. The gauze is packed onto the bleeding source and held under firm pressure.
Kaolin activates the body's own intrinsic clotting pathway, while chitosan forms a charge-based adhesive plug that works even when clotting is impaired. Both are CoTCCC-recommended in gauze form.
Gauze can be packed directly against the bleeding vessel, holds pressure, and is fully removable. Loose granules are harder to direct, can wash out, and earlier exothermic versions risked burns, so they were retired from recommendation.
Hold firm, direct pressure for at least three minutes. The hemostatic agent needs sustained contact time with the wound to form a stable clot before you secure it with a pressure dressing.
Yes. Hemostatic dressings carry an expiration date and should be stored sealed and within temperature range. Check the date on each product and rotate stock so field kits carry in-date dressings.
MED-TAC International Corp. is a clinician-founded, veteran-led tactical medicine provider. Product references to CoTCCC reflect committee recommendations and do not imply FDA approval or certification. This content is educational and is not a substitute for hands-on training or medical direction.
Two distinct mechanisms accelerate clotting in wounds a tourniquet cannot reach. Both are CoTCCC-recommended in gauze form for junctional and deep extremity hemorrhage.
Kaolin is a naturally occurring aluminosilicate mineral that activates the intrinsic coagulation cascade through contact activation of Factor XII. This accelerates the body's natural clotting process without generating heat -- a critical improvement over older zeolite formulations that caused exothermic burns.
Chitosan is a polysaccharide derived from crustacean shells. It works through mucoadhesion -- sealing the wound bed while independently aggregating red blood cells and platelets. Chitosan is effective even in patients on anticoagulants, as it does not rely on the normal clotting cascade.
The doctrine standard. Folds accordion-style for easy packing into deep wounds. Stays in place, removes cleanly. Available in 3" and 4" widths.
The CELOX-A applicator delivers chitosan granules directly into narrow, deep wound tracks. Ribbon format offers rapid deployment for irregular wound shapes.
SEAL Spray delivers a mineral-based hemostatic as an aerosol for surface bleeding. Axiostat patches provide flat occlusive coverage for wide, shallow wounds.
Find the source. Identify the bleeding point. If the wound is deep, use a finger to locate the artery or vein before packing.
Pack from depth. Force the gauze directly onto the bleeding source, filling the wound cavity from the bottom up. Pack tightly.
Hold 3 minutes. Apply firm, sustained pressure for a minimum of 3 minutes. Then cover with a pressure dressing.
Compare all 17 hemostatic agents by active ingredient, format, and key features to find the right dressing for your kit.
| Product | Agent | Format | Key Feature | CoTCCC Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuikClot Combat Gauze | Kaolin | Z-Fold Gauze (3" x 4 yd) | The original kaolin gauze, CoTCCC benchmark standard | Recommended |
| QuikClot Combat Gauze XL | Kaolin | Z-Fold Gauze (4" x 5 yd) | Extra-large format for large cavity wounds | Recommended |
| QuikClot Combat Gauze - LE | Kaolin | Z-Fold Gauze (LE Packaging) | Law enforcement-specific packaging and labeling | Recommended |
| ChitoGAUZE XR PRO | Chitosan | Z-Fold Gauze (3" x 4 yd) | Chitosan gauze with extended-release clotting action | Recommended |
| ChitoGAUZE XR2 PRO | Chitosan | Z-Fold Gauze (3" x 4 yd) | Next-gen chitosan formulation, improved packing density | Recommended |
| CELOX Z-Fold | Chitosan | Z-Fold Gauze (3" x 10 ft) | High-density chitosan gauze, works on anticoagulated patients | Any Recommended |
| CELOX RAPID | Chitosan | Ribbon Gauze | Faster packing -- removes cleanly in one piece | Any Recommended |
| CELOX-A Applicator | Chitosan | Granule Applicator | Delivers chitosan granules deep into narrow wound tracks | Any Recommended |
| CELOX Rapid Ribbon | Chitosan | Ribbon Gauze | Compact ribbon for rapid wound packing | Any Recommended |
| Axiostat Z-Fold | Chitosan | Z-Fold Gauze (3" x 6") | 100% chitosan-based, strong mucoadhesive seal | Not Separately Reviewed |
| Axiostat L88 Patch | Chitosan | Flat Patch | Chitosan patch for wide, shallow wound surfaces | Not Separately Reviewed |
| CHITOSAM 100 | Chitosan | Z-Fold Gauze (3" x 6") | Pure chitosan gauze, compact IFAK-friendly size | Not Separately Reviewed |
| TACMED OLAES Bandage (HemCon) | Kaolin | Pressure Bandage + Sponge | Hemostatic sponge integrated into pressure bandage -- pack and wrap in one | Not Separately Reviewed |
| Hemostatic Dressing 4" x 4" | Kaolin | Flat Pad (4" x 4") | Flat hemostatic pad for surface bleeding and minor wounds | Not Separately Reviewed |
| SEAL Spray OTC | Chitosan | Aerosol Spray | Aerosolized chitosan formula for external surface bleeding | Not Separately Reviewed |
| SEAL Spray PRO | Chitosan | Aerosol Spray (Professional) | Aerosolized chitosan formula, professional-use concentration | Not Separately Reviewed |
| WoundClot EMS | Polymer | Z-Fold Gauze (3" x 39") | Synthetic polymer-based gauze, no animal-derived ingredients | Not Separately Reviewed |
CoTCCC alignment does not infer anything about a product's quality or effectiveness. CoTCCC recommends both kaolin-based (QuikClot) and chitosan-based (CELOX, ChitoGauze) hemostatic gauze for junctional hemorrhage control. Always pack the gauze directly onto the bleeding source and hold firm pressure for a minimum of 3 minutes. Pair with a pressure dressing to maintain compression. FDA and CE compliant where applicable per manufacturer specifications. This comparison table is not all-inclusive and is subject to expansion or retraction at any time. MED-TAC does not claim to offer every hemostatic option on the market.
We offer best-in-class products from every manufacturer, so you have variety and choice in the gear you need to save lives.
Each component is selected based on published clinical studies, field performance data, and professional user feedback -- not manufacturer marketing. We evaluate the entire equipment ecosystem, including the 90% of effective gear often missed by limited single-vendor review scopes.
Single vendors excel in one category but underperform in others. We select the best tourniquet from one brand, the superior hemostatic from another, the top chest seal from a third -- optimizing kit performance over vendor politics. Result: 13% higher effectiveness vs. single-vendor averages.
Components align with Stop the Bleed, C-TECC, and MARCH protocols. Government procurement documentation, competitive bidding support, and GSA schedule compatibility available. Component traceability and assembly quality control on every kit.
