Trauma shears, which might also be referred to as “tuff cuts,” are a type of scissors that are primarily used by paramedics and other emergency medical providers. They are designed to be able to safely cut away clothing that is being worn by an injured person. Most have a plastic handle with a metal blade, accompanied by a 150 degree bent design that is strong enough to cut through seat belts, hard surfaces, and even thin pieces of metal. Did you know the best trauma shears can even cut through a standard penny?
The Best Chart for Trauma Shears
Maybe you’re on a tight budget and need a good set of trauma shears. Maybe money doesn’t matter and you just want the best shears possible. The chart below will help you compare and contrast the top-rated trauma shears that are available right now so you can find the one that will best meet your needs.
| Picture | Name | Our Rating | Warranty | Size | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Leatherman RAPTOR Emergency Medical Tool | 4.8 | 25 years | 5 inches | 5.8 oz. | $$$$$+ |
 | Madison Supply Trauma Shears 2pack | 4.9 | 60 days | 7.5 inches | 4 oz. | $$ |
 | Prestige Medical Stylemate Utility Scissor | 4.5 | Lifetime | 5.5 inches | 4 oz. | $ |
 | EMT Shears Trauma Shears | 4.8 | 5 years | 7.5 inches | 4 oz. | $$ |
 | ADC 104BKE Responder Shears Holster Set | 4.5 | 12 Months | 7.25 inches | 10 oz. | $$$ |
| Picture | Name | Our Rating | Warranty | Size | Weight | Price |
The Art of Using Trauma Shears
Trauma shears are designed to provide a comfortable, but effective cutting experience in emergency situations. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t an art to the actual cutting process. Before beginning, however, the three rules of care are always in place: strip, cover, and then assess. Sometimes the assessment has to come before covering the patient.
Sometimes you may wish to cut right along the seams of the clothing. This is because some patients, especially in rural areas, may be able to repair their clothing once they recover from their medical emergency. It’s also a good idea to stay toward the outside seams whenever possible to avoid certain sensitive areas of the anatomy.
Then there are some clothing options that you may not wish to cut unless you must absolutely do so – and then you may wish to cut it at the treatment area instead of during transport. Down clothing in particular can create quite the mess when attacked with a pair of trauma shears. Remember those old pillow fight scenes in movies where the feathers fly everywhere? Yeah – that happens when you cut down products with trauma shears.
How to Find the Best Trauma Shears
One truth that always happens in the medical industry is that equipment tends to disappear on you. Someone asks you for your trauma shears to help someone and then they never come back. If you’re responsible for purchasing your own shears, then look for the best combination of quality and price so you don’t regret handing them off to someone in an emergency situation.
Equipment will come and it will go. Even affordable trauma shears can offer precision results when they’re placed in the hands of someone who has a good cutting technique. If you are rather stationary in your treatment of patients, then a high quality set of trauma shears makes sense. If you’re highly mobile, then strength and affordability are your best friends.
What Are the Prices of the Best Trauma Shears?
You’ll find that many trauma shears fit in the $10-$30 price range. Although these shears might not be as strong as their premium counterparts, they will still get the job done. You might have to tear at a pair of jeans or something in the worst case scenario, but that’s really the only issue. If you need major strength, however, you’ll want to invest in a top-of-the-line product.
What Do Our Reviews Have to Say?
Leatherman Raptor Review
If you want the best trauma shears on the market today, then you are going to want the Leatherman Raptor. There’s no getting around the absolute strength of this design. Glass-filled nylon scales support a folding design that helps to grip materials for a cut that is fast and strong. A locking safety liner prevents accidental injuries. The ring cutter will work on most standard gold bands – a must-have item for sure. It stores well thanks to its holster and clips to most MOLLE-compatible systems. Perfect for EMTs, medics, and other professionals, these trauma shears earn our highest recommendation.
Click here to view the price on Amazon and find a great deal.
Madison Supply
If you’ve ever lost a pair of trauma shears and your job responsibilities keep you very mobile, then these are a great set of trauma shears to consider. With milled serrations and a sharp edge that stays true, you can cut through most of the materials you’ll encounter. The high-impact plastic handles are reasonably durable and the blunt tips won’t create an additional problem for you during the assessment process. This is a 2-pack for the price, so give it a second look to see if it can meet your needs.
Click here to view the price on Amazon and find a great deal.
Prestige Medical
These colorful trauma sheers also double as a solid set of utility scissors. They’re incredibly lightweight, but they’re also a little shorter than your average pair of shears at just 5.5 inches. For practical use, they do a good job of cutting through layers of clothing quickly and withstand some wear and tear even when dropped frequently. They fit pretty well in a pocket, have a tight cutting mechanism, and can be used at any time. If you can get past the size, we think you’ll enjoy using these trauma shears on a regular basis.
Click here to view the price on Amazon and find a great deal.
Carabiner Shears
If you’re tired of trauma shears that don’t stay in their holster, then this unique design is one we’d recommend. One of the handles has been modified to include a carabiner so it can clip to just about any belt, pocket, or strap. The design doesn’t affect the leverage of the cutting you may need to do, but the price isn’t so high that you’ll feel bad if you hand these shears to someone and they don’t come back for some reason. Designed in the US, these are affordably sturdy and it’s difficult to argue with that.
Click here to view the price on Amazon and find a great deal.
ADC Responder Set
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution while shopping for trauma shears, then this is one of the best solutions to consider. Not only is the holster water-resistant, but it also comes with your trauma shears, forceps, a disposable penlight, and bandage scissors. You’ll also receive a tourniquet kit; a great investment for medical students who need everything or for the EMT who wants a portable set of tools that they don’t care if it gets lost. The best part is that it seems to fit into most pockets, so it can be useful for everyone.
Click here to view the price on Amazon and find a great deal.
The best trauma shears will help you be able to help someone in need quickly and effectively. The Leatherman Raptor review is for those who want the very best, while the other trauma shears are for those who want something a little cheaper, but still have something practical. Order yours today and you’ll be able to get your job done.
