Most kits jump from adhesive bandages to rolls of gauze. This strip covers the cut in between — and holds pressure on it.
At a glance
9 things to know about POW 2 × 5 in. Pressure Strips
Where the strip fits in the POW range, how to apply it, and when a cut needs more.
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01
The size between a finger strip and a wrap
The strip is 2 in. × 5 in. with a 1 in. dome — compact enough for a glovebox, pocket kit or hiking pack, long enough to lock a dome over a cut on a hand, wrist or small forearm.3
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02
The dome puts the pressure on the wound
POW's rigid dome delivers targeted, vertical compression on the wound instead of spreading the strip's tension around the limb.3,4 A pressure bar under an elastic bandage raised pressure directly beneath it without raising it elsewhere — the same principle.7
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03
One arm, then the other
The package directions: place the pressure point directly on the wound, secure the first arm in the direction you choose, then secure the second arm in the opposite direction, adjusting tension to raise or lower the pressure.5
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04
The dome must be bigger than the wound
POW's rule for best results.4 A cut longer than 1 in. takes the 11 × 3 in. wrap or the Large wrap with its 2 in. dome; a fingertip takes the finger strip.3
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05
Hands-free once it is on
Once applied, the pressure stays on without your hand.3 Hands on the wound still stop bleeding faster than pressure dressings;9 the strip's value is holding that pressure while you do everything else.
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06
Watch the skin beyond it
Check past the strip for coldness, loss of color, numbness or tingling, and loosen it immediately if any appear.4
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07
If blood seeps through
POW's instruction is to leave it in place and add gauze and manual pressure on top.4 That applies to a superficial wound, not deep enough to pack. A deep wound is packed, and a packed wound that keeps bleeding is repacked — not layered over.
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08
When to get care
Bleeding that is severe, rapid or arterial, or that has not stopped after several minutes of firm pressure, is a 911 call or an emergency room.4 Blood that is spurting or pooling from a limb needs a tourniquet.1
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09
Sterile, sealed, chemical-free
Each strip is sterilized by ethylene oxide and sealed in its own pouch; there is no hemostatic agent.5,6
How to apply a POW 2 × 5 in. strip
The package directions, with the first-aid steps around them.
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1Press first. Firm direct pressure on the wound with clean gauze or cloth.10 Spurting or pooling bleeding from a limb gets a tourniquet and a 911 call instead.1
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2Check the size. The 1 in. dome must be larger than the wound.4
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3Place the dome. Set the pressure point directly on the wound.5
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4Secure the first arm. Lay the first arm down in the direction you choose.5
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5Secure the second arm. Lay the second arm in the opposite direction, adjusting the tension to raise or lower the pressure.5
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6Check beyond it. Cold, pale, numb or tingling skin past the strip: loosen it at once.4
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7Decide on care. Still bleeding after several minutes of firm pressure: 911 or the emergency room.4
Where it fits
- Small wounds on a hand, wrist or forearm that the 1 in. dome covers3,4
- Home, vehicle, hiking and everyday-carry kits3
- Keeping pressure on so both hands are free3
- Severe, rapid or spurting bleeding — tourniquet if it is a limb, and call 9111,4
- Deep wounds that need packing — never pack the chest or abdomen
- Wounds longer than the dome4
- The neck, trunk or head4
The evidence
None of these studies tested a POW strip. They test the dome principle and pressure dressings in general.
| Study | Evidence type | What was studied | What it found |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipman & Lessard, Mil Med 20097 | Pressure measurement | Emergency Bandage with and without its pressure bar; sensors under the bar and around the bandage | The pressure bar raised pressure directly under it without raising it elsewhere under the bandage |
| Brauckmann et al., Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 20268 | Simulation · pressure sensors | 116 pressure-dressing applications by emergency providers over calibrated sensors | Maximum pressure ranged 50–412 mmHg; self-assessment did not correlate with measured pressure |
| Charlton et al., Prehosp Emerg Care 20219 | Systematic review | 107 studies of bleeding-control methods available to first aid providers | Direct manual compression reached hemostasis faster than pressure dressings or devices; certainty very low |
| AHA & American Red Cross, Circulation 202410 | Expert guideline | 2024 Guidelines for First Aid — bleeding | Direct pressure first for life-threatening bleeding, followed by a tourniquet or wound packing if the location allows |
Hands on the wound remain the fastest way to stop bleeding; a strip's value is holding that pressure when your hands are needed. Check the skin beyond it rather than trusting your sense of tightness.
How it compares
The POW line runs from a finger strip to a 54 in. wrap — pick the size by wound size first.
| Finger strip | 2 × 5 in. strip | 11 × 3 in. wrap | Large wrap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 4.5 × 1.5 in.5 | 2 × 5 in.3 | 11 × 3 in.3 | 4 × 54 in.3 |
| Pressure dome | Sized for a finger | 1 in.3 | About 1 in.3 | 2 in.3 |
| Format | Adhesive wraparound strip6 | Adhesive strip6 | Flexible adhesive wrap3 | Elastic wrap3 |
| Best for | Finger cuts | Small wounds of the hand, wrist and forearm | Mid-size wounds of a wrist, forearm or lower leg | Larger wounds of an arm or leg |
| Sold at MED-TAC as | 3-pack | 3-pack | Part of the POW Essentials Pack | Single sealed wrap |
| evidence-based standard | No | No | No | No |
Sizes from POW's product information and package labeling.3,5 POW's rule for every size: the dome must be larger than the wound.4 The Evidence-Based Standard Devices & Adjuncts list names no pressure dressing of any brand.2
Build the system
The rest of the POW line, the everyday basics beside it, and the trauma gear for the bleeds a strip cannot handle.
Questions buyers ask
Package & specifications
Specifications coming soon. Contact us for detailed product information.
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