The NAR ETD 6" Flat is a sterile pressure bandage used by military personnel, first responders, and prepared operators to control moderate to severe external hemorrhage from lacerations, avulsions, and gunshot wounds to the extremities, torso, or junctional areas.

The ETD 6" Flat is indicated for wounds not amenable to tourniquet use, including junctional injuries where a limb tourniquet cannot be applied. Its 6-inch sterile non-adherent pad covers large surface area wounds without disrupting clot formation upon removal. The flat-folded, vacuum-sealed packaging keeps the bandage field-ready at approximately 0.875 inches thick, optimized for carriage in plate carrier pouches, ankle kits, and cargo pockets. Confirming seal integrity during pre-deployment inspection is a readiness-critical step: a soft or pliable package indicates compromised sterility.

Deployment protocol follows a seven-step sequence: expose and assess the wound, open packaging via the red tear notches, place the sterile pad directly over the bleed source, anchor with an initial tight wrap, continue wrapping with consistent tension at 50% overlap, secure the closure bar into underlying layers, and reassess for bleeding control and distal circulation. The integrated Quick-Grip hook-and-loop system prevents roll slippage under stress, allowing the operator to maintain pressure throughout the wrapping sequence. If bleeding persists after application, direct pressure for three to five minutes is indicated before reassessing for tourniquet use.

The ETD is a single-use, disposable device. Any opened or deployed unit must be disposed of as biomedical waste and replaced immediately to restore operational readiness. Prolonged UV exposure and extreme temperatures degrade both the elastic material and the vacuum seal, making proper stowage in a dedicated medical pouch a non-negotiable carriage standard.