A sheath for percutaneous insertion into an artery includes a manually insertable sealing tab having a flexible hinge molded onto the sheath near its proximal end. The tab includes a cylindrically shaped stopper that can be inserted into the sheath's proximal end to prevent blood loss when there is no catheter inserted into the sheath. The stopper design allows a guide wire to remain in place or be advanced or pulled out of the sheath when the stopper is in place to seal the sheath's proximal end.
