Vascular locating systems and methods of use

A method of locating a puncture site in a vessel of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a guide wire through the puncture site and into the vessel such that a portion of the guide wire protrudes from the vessel;
• inserting a proximal end of the guide wire into a distal end of a sheath dilator that is coupled within an access channel of a sheath body, the sheath body having an inlet hole;
• moving the sheath dilator and sheath body combination distally along the guide wire until the inlet hole enters the vessel;
• confirming that the inlet hole is within the vessel by drawing fluid from the vessel;
• slightly withdrawing the sheath dilator and sheath body combination proximally along the guide wire;
• determining whether the inlet hole is within the vessel;
• if the inlet hole is within the vessel, repeating the withdrawing and determining steps until the inlet hole is external to the vessel;
• once the inlet hole is external to the vessel, slightly moving the sheath dilator and sheath body combination distally along the guide wire to thereby position the inlet hole within the vessel;
• and
• noting a first visible marking of a plurality of markings on the sheath body that is adjacent the patient's skin when the inlet hole is positioned in the vessel.