Every medic, EMT and nurse carries a pair. Trauma shears, sometimes called EMT shears or tuff cuts, are built for one job: cutting through clothing, boots, straps and bandages fast, without cutting the person underneath.
Why they look the way they do
Blunt, flat tip
The lower blade ends in a flat, rounded tip that slides along skin under tight clothing without puncturing it. That is the whole point of trauma shears compared to regular scissors.
Angled blades
The blades are bent at an angle to the handles, so you can keep the shears flat against the body while your hand stays clear.
Serrated edge
Fine serrations grip fabric so it does not slide out of the cut, even with wet denim or heavy canvas.
Big handles
Large finger loops work with gloves on and give you leverage.
What they are used for
- Exposing a wound to find the source of bleeding
- Cutting away jeans, jackets, boots and seat belts
- Cutting gauze, tape and bandages
- Cutting cord, webbing and zip ties in the field
In bleeding control, seconds count. You cannot pack a wound or place a tourniquet correctly if you cannot see the injury. That is why shears are in every STOP THE BLEED kit.
What size to get
The 7.25 inch size is the standard. It is big enough to cut through heavy clothing and small enough to fit in an IFAK, a cargo pocket or a glove box. Smaller 5.5 inch shears are handy for compact kits but have less leverage.
Features worth paying for
- Stainless steel blades that hold an edge and resist rust
- A solid rivet that does not loosen
- Matte or black finish that does not reflect light, popular with hunters, police and military users
Where to carry them
- In your IFAK, next to the tourniquet
- In a vehicle first aid kit
- On a boat, in the sealed first aid bag
- In a hunting or range bag
Salt air and humidity will rust cheap shears. Keep yours in a sealed bag like the Waterproof Field Kit or a Large Waterproof MOLLE Pouch.
Our pick
Our 7.25 inch matte black trauma shears from True Rescue are the same style included in our STOP THE BLEED kits: rugged, sharp and easy to use with gloves.
FAQ
Can trauma shears cut through a seat belt?
Good 7.25 inch shears can cut a seat belt, though a dedicated belt cutter is faster.
How do I keep them sharp?
Use them for their job, wipe them clean and dry after use, and replace them when they start to chew instead of cut.
