REVIEW: IFV Hartmann AG Trauma Bandage

Who invented it? - Not quite. The correct question should be: "Who improved it?"

But let's start from the beginning: We all know that blood (and usually ourselves along with it) feels most comfortable where it belongs: inside the body. And before anyone starts thinking about old O.B. advertising slogans, let us gently remind you that we are talking here about military applications.

When there is bleeding, we apply pressure, even if it hurts, and put on a bandage. And what helps better than a bandage? Right, a pressure bandage! Everyone learns and practices this in their (hopefully annual) first aid course.

Now, we need the following things: a wound pad, a pressure pad, and a fixing material. These are three things. If we find ourselves in a situation where we are faced with bleeding (whether our own or a comrade's), we can assume that one might be a little stressed. In this state, trying to apply three different things in the correct order, possibly in pain, in the dark, goes beyond the juggling skills of most people. That's why a wise man (Bernard Bar-Natan) once had the brilliant idea to develop everything into a ready-made product that allows anyone to quickly and easily apply a pressure bandage. The well-known "Israeli Bandage" was born.

Several years have passed, and the bandage has proven itself in missions around the world, from battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Middle East, shootings at Western schools, and motorcycle accidents on countless roads. But now the Swiss are coming - the people of precision-made weapons and watches - adding their expertise.

Which company could be more predisposed for such an endeavor than the 1870-founded dressing material manufacturer (Internationale Verbandstoff-Fabrik) IFV Hartmann AG. Their products are probably familiar to everyone, as they fill most of our first aid kits and vehicle emergency kits.

After optimizing the "Isi bandage," the "Trauma Bandage" from IFV Hartmann AG has now been released.

Here is our first look:

In direct comparison, it is noticeable that the "Trauma" comes across as less round, but rather rectangular. We will learn the reason for this shortly.

The Hartmann, like its predecessor, comes in a robust, gas and waterproof, easy-to-open film. However, while the Israeli is double-sealed, the Hartmann is only single-sealed. This makes opening it (especially in the dark) much easier because it is usually the second, transparent film that gives you a headache.

The wound pads may look similar, but the Zetuvit suction compress from Hartmann resembles certain inserts more. The experience in incontinence products may have a positive impact here.

The hand strap is also obligatory.

The definitely useful roll stop has also been adopted here. The difference is that the one from Hartmann seems to have been refined. It holds the bandage reliably, but allows it to unroll much more smoothly, resulting in a neater bandage.

But here is the centerpiece of the difference: the shaping of the pressure pad. While the Israeli creates pressure by flipping the plastic buckle, in the Hartmann it is placed directly as a rigid plate.

For Application:

The wound dressing goes on the wound, then wrap the elastic bandage around once until you reach the plate. There are hooks on it for threading.

Which turns out to be surprisingly easy. One advantage is that as you apply tension to the bandage, you can hold the pressure pad in position well. This way, the pressure stays where you want it and does not shift. Then wrap in the opposite direction until you reach the plate again.

Same procedure.

Then you clean the pressure pad and wound neatly under the bandage, ...

... and secure the end with, for example, a closure clip.

Since wounds often come in different sizes, Hartmann also produces solutions:

From small to large, there's something for everyone.

The application of the larger bandages remains unchanged. (The usefulness of pressure bandages in the abdominal area is not up for debate here)

After all these images, the question arises: what is the benefit? Are the developments worth a new product?

How does the IFV Hartmann AG Trauma Bandage perform?

In terms of application speed, the Israeli bandage is slightly superior to the Hartmann. This is probably due to the design (with the Israeli bandage, you have to wrap twice in opposite directions) and may not change even with training. However, it should be noted that this time difference is extremely small and therefore likely not relevant.

Regarding application position, Hartmann has a clear advantage. Firstly, because you can hold it in place while securing it, and secondly because, thanks to the pressure plate, you can immediately see/feel where the pressure is being applied. This is not the case with the Israeli bandage, as the clip must always be turned before use, requiring a certain level of anticipation. An important point!

Pressure exertion: here too, Hartmann clearly has the upper hand. With the same amount of bandage tension, it is able to apply more pressure. This is a clear advantage!

Now, how about application in difficult areas? Like the neck or groin? Well, here we have a bit of a challenge with Hartmann because while it applies pressure better with the pressure pad, it is also stiffer and therefore naturally harder to apply on body contours.

Length: it should also be noted in the application technique that the helper has less bandage material available, as they need to wrap in opposite directions twice before they can start securing the pressure pad.

Night/cold: in quick comparisons, we found that under difficult conditions, such as using night vision goggles, in cold stiff hands, or wearing mittens, we were more successful in wound care using the Israeli bandage than with Hartmann.

Transport: Here, Hartmann proves to be the better option due to its slim design. The well-known issue of the Israeli clip getting caught is hardly possible with Hartmann.

CONCLUSION: So far, 3:2 for Hartmann. However, the points where the Israeli bandage scores as the "golden standard" are inherently military. Medically, Hartmann clearly has the upper hand.

Whether this leads someone to see a product more in civilian use or another more in military use is up to each individual. One thing is for certain: it certainly doesn't need to hide!

For government customers, the Trauma Bandage is available in three different sizes for government customers, there is also a civilian version. All contact details for government and civilian interested parties in the PDF:

HERE is the product information from IFV Hartmann AG about the Trauma Bandage for download or for online reading.

IFV Hartmann AG on the internet