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A hemostat is a surgical tool which resembles a set of scissors with a locking clamp replacing the blade. A set of hemostats comes in several different sizes; any given surgery may require the use of a number of hemostats.
A hemostat is commonly used in both surgery and emergency medicine to control bleeding, especially from a torn blood vessel, until the bleeding can be repaired by stitches or other surgical techniques.
Hemostats are part of the first aid kit carried by combat lifesavers and paramedics.