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Top 13 Best Nursing Shears Of 2024

Brandon Forder
  Mar 29, 2024 12:41 AM

The best trauma shears can snip through just about anything, including fabric, seat belts, bandages, tape, rope, and cables.

People in the medical and survival fields cannot do their jobs effectively without trauma shears. Practically speaking, the use of such equipment enables doctors to swiftly and easily cut through solid objects in order to offer emergency care.

 

However, there are a plethora of options available. Several practical layouts that streamline the shopping experience are outlined in this article. From emergency rooms to wilderness survival, these gadgets are useful almost everywhere.

This next section features a variety of excellent trauma shear layouts. In addition, it has a wide variety of scissors, from industrial-strength multi-use scissors to affordable, sturdy medical shears for unexpected situations.


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Buying Guide

Types of trauma shears

Although trauma shears can be thought of as a subset of the larger category of scissors, there are still distinct subsets within this larger category of emergency medical equipment. In either the classic or multi-tool version, the trauma shear is an essential instrument. Each instrument has advantages and disadvantages, so picking the right one for you will mostly depend on your individual circumstances. Trauma shears are designed to be as effective as possible, hence they typically have slanted blades, guarded tips, and sharply serrated edges.

Traditional

Contrary to what skeptics would have you believe, tradition isn't always a bad thing, and this is especially true with trauma shears. Even though non-standard shears, such multi-tool trauma shears, have their place in a rescuer's toolkit, the majority of rescue workers choose traditional trauma shears because of their reliability, portability, light weight, and low price. Most medical professionals who respond to emergencies are still using the same old trauma shears.

Traditional trauma shears, to the uninitiated, appear to be a pair of hip, yet sturdy, scissors. Even though trauma shears don't look anything like regular scissors, their sharper edges and wider handles allow for quick, secure emergency care.

Multi-tool

These trauma shear multi-tools can do a lot more than just cut through denim or safety belts when you need them to. Strap cutters, glass breakers, oxygen wrenches, and measurement markers are just some of the features that are commonly included in multi-tools. The best part is that they collapse like a standard knife-focused multi-tool.

A multi-tool trauma shear could be worth the investment if compactness is a priority. As a result of their enhanced adaptability, they are often a great pick for go packs, minimalist emergency kits, and other similar applications. As an added bonus, the edge on these shears stays sharp for a significantly longer period of time than that of standard trauma shears. Of course, the trade-off is the increased bulk, which you may or may not find to be worthwhile.

Durability

Due of the possibly lifesaving nature of the shears, this is crucial information. Not having them hold together properly is a must. If you're an EMT or you'll be utilizing these shears anywhere than at a hospital, this is crucial information to have.

In most cases, hospital-grade trauma shears will be mass-produced and have only the barest minimum of sophistication. This is because hospitals have access to superior equipment, and trauma shears are more likely to be used for de-clothing an accident victim than for repairing serious wounds. The shears' endurance is less of a concern here because you can easily replace them if they get damaged. However, a field medic or EMT would require a more rugged pair because of the wide variety of situations they may be called upon to handle.

Materials Used

This is where things can become fascinating, but it all comes down to personal taste. In general, shears will be crafted from surgical stainless steel. The blades of some specialist shears, for instance, are fluoride-coated. These "nonstick shears" were made specifically for slicing through adhesive tape.

The blades of field shears are typically coated with titanium to ensure they can cut through the tougher materials they may encounter.

You should also consider purchasing a set of shears that can survive autoclave sterilization temperatures if you intend to use them in a medical setting. If properly cleaned and sanitized, titanium shears can be used on several patients without risk of infection. This is a crucial factor to think about while choosing a couple.

Blade Length

Changes to the blade of a trauma shears can have major effects on the tool's adaptability, efficiency, and mobility.

The standard size for trauma shears is 7 inches to 7 and a half inches.

Its compact size and light weight make it ideal for use by medical professionals on the field.

Keep the length of your trauma shears between 7 and 7 1/2 inches if portability is a priority.

In this way, your shears will be of an appropriate length for their intended purpose without being cumbersome.

Most shears also have an angled blade, making for easier handling and cleaner cuts.

Consequently, you'll want to make sure the shears have a curved or angled blade.

It's useful for trimming tape, bandages, and dressings close to the skin.

Last but not least, a practical length is crucial for packing, stowing, and transporting.

Many medical first aid kits are lightweight and easily portable.

Make sure all of your medical supplies can easily fit into your case.

This safeguards the bag's functionality and usefulness.

Blade finish

Blade steel can affect longevity, but a good coating can make your shear blades last longer and be easier to work with. Trauma shear blades typically feature a fluoride coating, while some may also be available with a titanium bond or diamond-like coating (DLC).

The majority of shear blades have a fluoride coating, which is great for cutting through adhesives like bandage tape. Therefore, clinical and medical settings benefit greatly from fluoride coatings.

Blades with special coatings, such as titanium bonding or DLC (which is rarely seen on trauma shears), last longer. This is because the blades of most trauma shears are made of inexpensive stainless steels, and these finishes provide a very thin but robust layer of protection against wear and rust.

Autoclave-safe

All but the most uninformed person about medicine knows how dangerous bloodborne pathogens may be. Sterile instruments are the absolute minimum requirement for patient care, but what happens after you've already used your non-disposable instruments on a patient? You might have access to an autoclave at your workplace. If so, you may be in luck.

When properly cleaned, a good pair of trauma shears can be placed in an autoclave for quick and simple sterilization, giving the user peace of mind. Therefore, it would be wise to seek out a compatible couple. When shears can withstand the high pressure of an autoclave, it will usually be indicated on the handle. However, if you don't, you might as well give up (and another five to 10 bucks). If there are no markings on your shears, you can contact the retailer or manufacturer to find out how they were tested, but don't get your hopes up.

Grip Comfort

With knives, comfort mostly refers to how well they cut and how the handles feel in your hands.

If you'll be using your trauma shears on a regular basis, they ought to be as comfortable as possible.

Handles constructed of rubber or high-quality polymers that are comfortable to grip and hold can ease hand fatigue and pain, making cutting easier.

The less effort required to make a cut, the more supple and soft the grip (all things considered equal).

Because of this, you won't have to worry about damaging your finer fingers when cutting through sturdy materials.

The combination of a smooth but sturdy scissor hinge and an angled blade should make for a very pleasant cutting experience.

Think about how the trauma shears feel in your hands before purchasing them.

The length, serrated blades, anti-stick/rust qualities, hinges, cutting angle, and handle material are all part of the equation.

Price

The price of trauma shears can range from $8 to $25.

However, high-end trauma shears, especially those with multiple tools and functions, can cost $35-$100 or more.

Trauma shears range in price from $100 to $600+ depending on the brand, model, quality of construction, and current market demand.

Minimum-cost trauma shears have materials that last a few months and provide average performance.

Warranties on trauma shears are often more moderate. They may not be as durable as high-end trauma shears, but they are an excellent low-cost solution for people on a tighter budget.

If you only require shears for light cutting jobs once in a while and you're all on a tight budget, ordinary trauma shears might do.

However, if you plan on using them frequently, it's advisable to invest in high-quality ones, since they will serve you better in the long run.

As the price goes up, so should the quality of the extra features and components.


FAQS

Are bandage scissors and trauma shears the same?

Typically used to cut through dressings and bandages, Trauma Shears are essentially identical as Bandage Scissors save for their diminutive size. First responders and other medical personnel rely heavily on these.

What is the hole in trauma shears for?

The Trauma Shears can be clipped together at one of the finger holes for convenient portability. They have a clip that allows them to be worn on a bag or the user's scrubs.

Why are Trauma Shears angled?

Trauma shears are specifically designed to prevent skin damage and gouging that could occur when cutting using straight scissors.

Are trauma shears TSA-approved?

The TSA has cleared trauma shears for transport in both checked and carry-on bags. The Leatherman Raptor and the SOG ParaShears are the only probable exceptions to this rule. These shears appear to be too large to fit in a carry-on (perhaps because of the seatbelt cutters) but can be easily stored in checked luggage.


Conclusion

Now you know the answer. Thanks to this article, you are now well-versed in the topic of the best trauma shears and medical scissors for use in the healthcare industry.

It doesn't matter if you're a nurse, medic, EMT, or RT; the recommendations above will help you find the best trauma shears for your specific needs. So that you can locate exactly what you need, we made care to include several distinct kinds of trauma shears.

For your time and attention, I really thank you. I pray that today is wonderful for you, and as always, I hope you can relax and enjoy life.


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