Here are the actual instructions that come with the TraumaFX Injury Molds and TraumaGel to give you an idea how easy and simple it really is:

Prosthetic Molds & TraumaGel Instructions:

Place TraumaGel in either a pan of hot water or the microwave until is in a liquid state. Have patience.

PAN METHOD: Heat water in a pan (not boiling!) and place TraumaGel bottle in the pan until it has liquefied. Keep flip-top in the closed position. Do NOT overheat! If too hot, it may warp your Prosthetic Molds.

MICROWAVE METHOD: Open the flip-top of the TraumaGel Bottle and place in the microwave. Heat on high in 5-second bursts, allowing approximately 30 seconds between bursts. Microwave until TraumaGel has liquefied. Again, do not heat too hot or it may warp your molds.

IMPORTANT MICROWAVE CAUTION: DO NOT HEAT SO MUCH THAT IT BURNS! If it burns, the TraumaGel will no longer be usable.

• Using a Q-Tip or brush, apply a VERY LIGHT coat of vegetable, mineral, or baby oil to the entire inside of the mold. Even a quick spray of PAM works great. Wipe off any excess with a paper towel.

NOTE: You should not even be able to see the oil in the mold. Although the mold doesn’t necessarily need an oil to act as a release, it makes the process faster. You could simply leave the TraumaGel in the mold for several hours until completely firm and it will release fine.

• Holding mold upright, squeeze in TraumaGel until the mold is approximately ½ full.

• While holding it in your hand, tilt the mold from side to side and forward and back. Slush it just to the edges of the prosthetic, not the entire mold interior. If you used a release, you will notice the TraumaGel beading and pulling away from the sides of the Prosthetic. This is normal. Keep slushing it around as before, and as the TraumaGel cools, it will begin to adhere. Keep your edges thin! When it begins to firm up, place your mold on a level surface so that the majority of the gel will settle to the center of the mold. See examples:

(click on the pictures for larger images)

• Place the molds into your refrigerator or freezer – about 30 - 45 minutes for the refrigerator and 15 - 25 minutes for the freezer. This procedure simply allows the TraumaGel to firm up faster.

• Remove TraumaGel from the refrigerator or freezer and apply a generous coating of TraumaFX Setting Powder to the top of the prosthetic. Then, using tweezers or a sharp knife point, gently slide it under the edge of the prosthetic and carefully lift, avoiding the edges from folding onto themselves. Your prosthetic should release very easily. If not, put back in the refrigerator and allow to cool more.

• When removing the prosthetic, DO NOT let it fold over on itself! Now, apply more powder to the other side. By powdering the prosthetic, it won’t stick to itself even if it folds over (especially the edges). This is a very important step.

• If necessary, trim your prosthetics to the desired shape. If you carefully slushed the TraumaGel just to the edge of the prosthetic outline in the molds you may not even have to trim anything. The edges are micro thin for easy blending into the skin. Below is an example of finished prosthetics (notice the micro-thin edges):
  

All information and images contained in these instructions and blog are copyright 2009 TraumaFX, LLC

Ok, ok - I hear you!

Because many of my customers have asked about buying all the materials they need in one kit for their casualty simulations (and Indy movie effects), I'm currently putting together two different selections.

One will be a kit with the "Basics" - everything you need to produce great casualty simulations.

The other will be a "Deluxe" kit - this kit will feature just about everything TraumaFX has to offer! Not only will the sizes of the products be larger (4 oz. instead of 2 oz. etc.), but it will also have MORE of the products included in the kit (two Trauma Makeup Wheels instead of one). This kit is designed for VERY LARGE mass casualty simulations. You will be able to use the kit for many years to come.

In addition, I will put together some "mini-kits". Gunshot wounds for example will come with their standard vacuuformed molds, but the kit will include Flesh colored TraumaGel, Blood, Adhesive and Remover.

All of the kits will be priced lower than if you bought the items individually.

I am also offering Latex Wound Prosthetics in the very near future. I have finished molding a BUNCH of sculpts and will begin production soon. Look for them!

Still working on the tutorials - it's amazing how much time they take. The makeup is simple and easy, but photographing everything and editing is what really takes some effort.

We're Getting There!

TraumaFX is really getting some recognition and products are beginning to move off the shelves! I want to thank all my customers for your trust in the products we provide.

Our latest valued customers are from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) - they simulated an auto crash to show what can really happen when you drink and drive. My hat is off to them for their creativity and determination in this worthy cause. I have been in the Emergency Medical Services field for 25 years, and many, many times I've seen first-hand the gross destruction of flesh and metal.

By the way, I've added many new products to the website (www.traumafx.com) and more will be displayed soon. Check it out if you get a chance and let me know what you think.

I will try to put up some tutorials on how to use the TraumaFX products to make REALISTIC injuries. It seems there are many people who are a little unsure how to do it. Understandable. Besides that, it'll be fun! Now I just need to find a few "true" friends who don't mind looking like a train hit them! (no, there won't be any hangover photos) ;)