What is interesting here is that the components in this kit are all of them custom made, with the exception of the chest decompression needle and the chest seal. CLEER Medical is basically doing what nobody has ever done before and in some cases, what the companies that make these components, said could not be done. This has by all accounts not been a cheap undertaking, which is somewhat reflected in the price.
So, what is in this kit?
Pretty much the essentials. Hemostatic gauze (Celox Rapid), a pressure dressing (similar to a shorter version of the Israeli Trauma Dressing) a chest seal (Fox Chest Seal), nitrile gloves (retail versions of the kit should have light-colored gloves, not the black ones you'll see in the pictures), chest decompression needle (NRS), all stored in a custom-made Blue Force Gear Helium Whisper pouch.
It's all about the size of a fat wallet and eminently pocketable. Let's look at the pictures. My apologies for the quality, the lighting was absolutely horrible.
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| This is one of the options for a complete, belt-mountable, kit that CLEER will be selling. Eleven10 CAT tourniquet holder, RCS belt mount, and the CLEER mini blow-out kit. This would be a great add-on for a duty belt. |
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| Back side of the CLEER pouch. This is a very lightweight pouch with the outer shell being made from a stretch material. |
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| The insert has a pull strap that hangs out of the pouch and allows you to quickly break out your kit. The holes in the strap lets you knot through some para-cord to make the strap easier to find and grab, especially with gloves on. |
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| I don't have solid measurements as of yet, but I normally wear a medium/large glove. This is a small kit, folks. |
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| The kit opens up flat like this, and you have immediate access to the contents. |
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| This is the first time I've actually messed with the Helium Whisper stuff from Blue Force Gear, and I'm fairly impressed. Light AND strong is always good, and these pouches are definitely both. |
If there is anything I would like to see done differently it would be a more compact way of keeping a tourniquet WITH the blow-out kit. While the full-sized platform is a great option, particularly for duty-use, I'd love to see a kit that was entirely pocketable.
That being said, what CLEER Medical has done here has never been done before. Not to this extent. For those places where they don't allow hemostatics (yes, some police departments have refused to approve the use of hemostatic products by their officers. Yes, this is retarded) CLEER is also making available an ultra-compact Z-folded cotton gauze, obviously for a reduction in price. And the price may turn out to be the biggest sticking point for a lot of folks. At an early estimated price of 299, this is NOT a cheap kit. Yes, there are tons of cheaper kits out there, absolutely. But here's the question: Will you carry the cheaper and much bulkier kit? Every day?
Unfortunately, for most people, the answer to that question is sadly "No". This doesn't just apply to medical kits, but even to firearms and other tools. If it's bulky, uncomfortable, heavy, you are far less likely to continue carrying it day in and day out. That's part of the reasoning behind why I make knives the way I do. They're light, un-noticeable on your belt. That's important.
And of course, then there's the somewhat clicheed question of "How much is your life worth?". It may be a cliche but that doesn't mean it's not a valid question.
As I get more hands-on time with this kit, I'll post more about it. I have a few thoughts running around inside my head, but they're not quite fully-formed yet. But for now, go check them out at their website: CLEER Medical
And at their Facebook page: CLEER Medical LLC Facebook
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