Hemostat?

[MikeyJ, RN]

I understand what a hemostat is and what it is intended for, but has anyone actually used one for it's intended purpose? I've noticed nurses using them all the time for other uses but never for clamping small arteries or blood vessels.

Could anyone give me an instance when they had to use one to clamp off bleeding? I really can't imagine using one on the floor but they are required we carry them around in nursing school.