So they had a cell phone and signal?  A sat phone?

Most 1st Aide kits have a pro-coaggulant.  Kit's probably a good idea Master...I should learn to carry one.

mastertangler wrote on Oct 6^th, 2011 at 1:22am:

There's even a couple tandem paddlers on the package. 

I've had the Quick Clot in my emergency medical kit for a long time.
It's standard issue for the troops in the field and has been credited with saving more than a few lives. Has even stopped severe wounds in the neck area and groin that would of been fatal without it.
I was prompted by story here on QJ I believe about someone gashing their leg with a axe/hatchet so bad they had to be taken out of park.
Common sense and safe working practices aside, I thought as a Solo paddler, what would I do?
I had considered the powdered wound coagulates but decided for serious traumatic wounds, speed was of the essence.
If you were in a group situation and had help, then the powder might be okay or for minor wounds that you were in no danger of bleeding out from.
I also carry one of those elastic bandages that secure with Velcro in a zip-lock bag with the Quick Clot sponge. Once you apply the sponge it's easy and quick to wrap/secure bandage.
Severe bleeding/trauma might leave you unable to cut regular tape or gauze to use with the powdered form.
I also carry a military suture kit and a Special Forces Field Medical book.
IMHO opinion every solo paddler and group should have what's required to survive what could be a life threatening episode if you don't have the right items with you.

Little tidbit about how the sponge idea came into being
Now that the military is co-ed, the troops in the field receive items that an all male military wouldn't. One of these items was feminine sanitary napkins. Somewhere along the line the combat troops found that one of these ultra absorbent pads, sprinkled with that coagulant powder made a better would dressing than anything they had. There's even a story about a Marine shot in the neck that was saved by a fellow Marine using a Tampon to plug/seal the wound. It came in a uni-sex "care" package and he was carrying it as a joke. No one is laughing now
Now they all carry the Quick Clot sponge and powder for smaller easy to control wounds.