SEAL Hemostatic Spray vs. QuikClot: Which Bleeding Control Agent is Best for First Responders?

In the high-stakes world of emergency response, the tools you carry can mean the difference between life and death. One of the most vital pieces of equipment in trauma care is the hemostatic agent—a solution designed to control bleeding rapidly and effectively.

Two leaders stand out in this category: SEAL Hemostatic Wound Spray and QuikClot. But which one is best for first responders? Let’s examine the science, usability, and field performance of both products.

What Are Hemostatic Agents?

Hemostatic agents help the body form clots faster to control bleeding. They are crucial during the “platinum ten minutes” and “golden hour” of trauma response, when rapid bleeding control can significantly improve survival.

These products work in two ways:

• Physical barriers that seal wounds and restrict blood flow

• Chemical interactions that accelerate the body’s clotting process

Meet the Contenders: SEAL vs. QuikClot

QuikClot: The Legacy Option

QuikClot has been widely used in military medicine and emergency care. Its formula relies on kaolin, a mineral that activates the clotting cascade.

• Packaged as gauze or sponges

• Requires direct pressure and wound packing

• Proven effective but with limitations in anticoagulated patients

SEAL Hemostatic Wound Spray: Modern Innovation

Developed by BC3 Technologies, SEAL represents a new generation of hemostatic solutions.

• FDA-cleared aerosol spray

• Uses chitosan, a natural biopolymer from crustacean shells

• Creates stable clots even in patients with clotting disorders

• Already deployed by EMS, police, fire, and military medics worldwide

Chitosan vs. Kaolin: A Scientific Showdown

How Kaolin Works

• Activates Factor XII in the clotting pathway

• Accelerates clotting in normal patients

• Less effective in those with coagulopathies or on blood thinners

How Chitosan Works

• Works independently of the body’s clotting cascade

• Electrostatic action: Positively charged chitosan attracts red blood cells and platelets

• Antimicrobial effect: Reduces infection risk

• Backed by peer-reviewed studies showing success in anticoagulated patients

Field Performance: SEAL vs. QuikClot

Feature	SEAL Hemostatic Wound Spray	QuikClot
Ease of Use	Spray-on, no packing or pressure needed	Requires packing and pressure
Wound Coverage	Excellent for deep, irregular wounds	Best for surface wounds
Clotting Agent	Chitosan (works even in clotting disorders)	Kaolin (dependent on clotting cascade)
Speed	Seconds	Minutes
Hospital Transition	Washes out easily with saline	May complicate wound cleaning

SEAL Hemostatic Spray: Everyday and Tactical Use

SEAL is not just for battlefield medicine—it’s also available in an OTC 1.5oz spray for everyday emergencies.

• Fast-acting protection from cuts to serious bleeding

• Hands-free, non-contact mist application

• Compact and portable, perfect for home kits, travel bags, or glove boxes

What First Responders Are Saying

Medics and emergency crews using SEAL report:

• “Immediate hemostasis with minimal effort.”

• “A game-changer for complex lacerations.”

• “Simple to train and deploy in chaotic environments.”

These testimonials reflect SEAL’s performance in real-world emergencies, especially when seconds matter.

Cost and Training Considerations

Both SEAL and QuikClot are competitively priced. However, SEAL offers:

• Faster application (saving precious seconds)

• Reduced training requirements

• Easier hospital integration (no residue, no debridement needed)

Final Verdict: SEAL or QuikClot?

Both SEAL and QuikClot are proven life-saving hemostatic agents. QuikClot’s gauze remains reliable, but SEAL’s spray-on simplicity, versatility, and effectiveness in complex wounds make it a top choice for modern first responders.

For medics working with coagulopathic patients, irregular injuries, or extreme conditions, SEAL provides a faster, safer, and more effective edge.