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ARS® Needle Decompression 14ga

Original price $19.99 - Original price $19.99
Original price
$19.99
$19.99 - $19.99
Current price $19.99
SKU 91638
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped

HSA / FSA Approved

This item is HSA / FSA Eligible

Proven Reliability for Life-Threatening Chest Trauma The ARS® Needle Decompression Kit (14ga) is the result of extensive collaboration between North American Rescue and frontline combat medics. Tension pneumothorax is the second leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield. This patented device increases the probability of success when managing these casualties by incorporating human factors engineering into its design. Unlike standard IV catheters, the ARS® features a strong, rugged needle/catheter combination specifically built to penetrate the chest wall without kinking or collapsing.

Key Features

  • Capless Flash Chamber: The patented design allows for immediate visual confirmation of needle placement upon entering the pleural space, eliminating the need to remove a cap or guess if the needle is seated correctly.
  • Field-Rugged Protection: The entire system is encased in a rigid, crush-resistant container with a textured twist top and an easy-open pen clip, ensuring the needle remains sterile and undamaged until the moment of deployment.
  • Optimal Length: The 3.25-inch (8.25cm) needle length is calculated based on CT scan data to successfully penetrate the chest wall in 99% of the population, overcoming the limitations of shorter, standard 14ga IV needles.
  • One-Handed Deployment: The easy-open container is designed for rapid access, allowing a medic to deploy the needle quickly even while wearing tactical gloves.

Why It Matters Standard IV needles are often too short or too soft to effectively treat a tension pneumothorax, leading to failure in the field. The ARS® solves this by providing a dedicated, purpose-built tool that is long enough to reach the pleural space and strong enough to survive the insertion. It converts a high-risk procedure into a reliable, repeatable action.

How to Use & Problem Solving This device is critical for TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) protocols. It addresses the "H" (Hemorrhage/Respiration) in MARCH algorithms. The compact form factor allows it to be carried in standard IFAKs, shirt pockets, or MOLLE webbing via the integrated clip, ensuring it is always within reach for immediate chest decompression.

Technical Overview The unit weighs just 0.6 oz and is packaged in a sterile, tamper-evident container. The catheter is radio-opaque, allowing for verification via X-ray after the patient reaches a hospital.

  • 1 x ARS® Needle Decompression Kit (14ga x 3.25")
  • Combat Medics & Corpsmen (TCCC)
  • Tactical EMTs & Paramedics (TEMS)
  • Law Enforcement (Patrol/SWAT Medical)
  • Remote/Wilderness Medicine (Extended Care)
  • Active Shooter Response Kits
  • Gauge: 14 Gauge
  • Needle Length: 3.25 in. (8.25 cm)
  • Dimensions (Packaged): 5.7" x 0.7" x 0.8"
  • Weight: 0.6 oz
  • Feature: Capless Flash Chamber
  • Sterility: Sterile / Single-Use
  • NSN: 6515-01-541-0635
  • Patents: U.S. Patent D595,847
📖 Official Resource
Step-by-Step Field Manual
Learn how to properly deploy and stage this equipment in a crisis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the ARS® Needle Decompression 14ga have a capless flash chamber design?

The capless flash chamber on the ARS® Needle Decompression 14ga provides immediate visual confirmation of proper needle placement during tension pneumothorax treatment. Unlike traditional needle decompression devices that require cap removal, this patented design (U.S. Patent D595,847) allows combat medics and first responders to instantly verify they've reached the pleural space through blood or air visualization. This critical feedback mechanism increases treatment success rates in high-stress tactical and emergency environments where seconds matter.

How does the ARS® 14ga compare to standard needle decompression kits for chest wall thickness?

The ARS® Needle Decompression 14ga was developed using real-world patient data from combat medics and pre-hospital providers, specifically addressing the challenge of adequate chest wall penetration. At 14 gauge with a rugged catheter design, it's engineered through human factors engineering to reliably reach the pleural space in patients with varying body compositions. The failsafe construction prevents needle damage during storage, ensuring the device performs when deployed in tactical trauma scenarios where standard kits may fall short.

Can the ARS® Needle Decompression be carried in a patrol officer's duty belt or tactical vest?

Yes—the ARS® Needle Decompression 14ga is designed for tactical carry with dimensions of just 5.7" x 0.7" x 0.8" and weighing only 0.6 oz. The quick-access container features a textured twist top and built-in clip for secure attachment to MOLLE webbing, duty belts, or medical pouches. The rugged protective catheter tube is built to withstand field conditions, making it ideal for law enforcement patrol officers, SWAT medics, and military personnel who need rapid chest decompression capability without bulk.

What makes the ARS® different from other North American Rescue needle decompression products?

The ARS® (Advanced Rescue System) Needle Decompression 14ga stands apart through its patented capless flash chamber technology and failsafe construction developed specifically from frontline provider feedback. While NAR offers various trauma solutions, the ARS® was engineered using real combat data to maximize tension pneumothorax treatment success rates. Its SEL # 09MS-02-THOR designation indicates approval for military and tactical procurement, and the textured quick-access container with integrated clip provides faster deployment than standard sterile packaging.

Is the ARS® Needle Decompression 14ga HSA/FSA reimbursable for civilian first responders?

Yes—the ARS® Needle Decompression 14ga (SKU 91638) is HSA/FSA approved, making it eligible for reimbursement through health savings and flexible spending accounts. This allows paramedics, wilderness first responders, and civilian tactical medics to purchase this combat-tested chest decompression device using pre-tax healthcare dollars. As a sterile, single-use medical device designed for life-threatening thoracic emergencies, it qualifies under IRS guidelines for eligible medical expenses.

Assembled in USA

Curated by Experts

Veteran Owned & Operated

Retired Army First Sergeant