Bandage Shears

What makes bandage shears safer than regular scissors?

Bandage shears feature a blunt-tipped 'safety foot' on the lower blade, which can be placed flat against the patient's skin and slid under dressings or clothing without risk of puncturing or lacerating the skin. Regular scissors have matching pointed tips on both blades, creating laceration risk when cutting over wound sites or curved body surfaces.

What size are MED-TAC bandage shears?

MED-TAC bandage shears measure 5.5 inches — the standard Lister size used across emergency medicine, nursing, and prehospital care. This length provides enough leverage for efficient bandage removal while staying compact enough to fit in any IFAK pocket, cargo pocket, or instrument roll.

What material are the MED-TAC bandage shears made from?

The shears are manufactured from 410 stainless steel, a martensitic stainless alloy that provides a good balance of edge retention, hardness, and corrosion resistance. 410 stainless is the standard material for medical-grade scissors and hemostatic instruments.

Can bandage shears cut through clothing and gear straps?

Standard 5.5-inch Lister bandage shears like those from MED-TAC are designed primarily for cutting bandages, dressings, and light clothing. For heavier materials — heavy denim, webbing, or tactical gear — a dedicated trauma shear or strap cutter (such as the Gerber Strap Cutter) is recommended.

Are bandage shears a CoTCCC-recommended item?

CoTCCC does not specifically list bandage shears as a recommended device, as its focus is on life-threatening hemorrhage and airway management items. However, trauma shears or bandage scissors are a standard component of nearly every TCCC kit and IFAK configuration, serving an essential role in wound exposure and bandage management.