8 replies to this topic

[dieselpowered]

I will be starting to put together an IFAK for my bug out bag and wanted to find out what would make the most complete kit. I am sure I can load it up with a bunch of stuff that I would think I would need, however, for those of you who have kits already completed, what did you include?

In addition, what sort of pouch or bag did you put these supplies into? I imagine different pouches work better than others.

[Bombguy]

I have several floating around, one in my BOB, one on my chest rig, and a couple of more around the house. The most important thing that I have in them is time, time spent training. As for a list of contents:
CAT, Quickclot gauze (celox is better), compression bandage, chest seal (get the Bolen), shears, tape. In my opinion those are the absolute basics. It is not a bad idea to have a boo boo kit as well. Just make sure that is kept in a different area. In it I would include band aids, mole skin, alcohol wipes, tweezers, things you find in the average off the shelf first aid kit. The pouch that I use is mil-issues IFAK pouch. Anything similar in size will work.
Just in case you didn't know Independence training offer's an IFAK course. I am sure that Rizzo will chime in on this eventually.

[unforgiven5150]

Check with Rizzo. He was selling some of the IFAKs a while back.

[dieselpowered]

Thanks for the replies, I did speak to Glen early today and he gave me some info. I think part of my problem is I was thinking too broad, i was thinking of not only life saving gear, but also minor injury, bites, ect.

[unforgiven5150]

I have a minor first aid kit in my vehicle. I should get a better one as well. On my shooting "kit" I have an IFAK figuring out in the desert shooting, at a match or other place with lots of people shooting a trauma kit would be important.

[rizzo]

Less people would die from catastrophic bleeding and penetrating chest wounds if everyone had an IFAK and the training to go with it. That is not a reality, however, but each of us that have the "ready mindset" can make sure we are prepared to save ourselves, our loved ones, or possibly a stranger by carrying an IFAK everywhere we go. Last January we saw a crazed gunman open fire into a crowd in Tucson - many people died, but several were saved by the simple IFAK used by PCSO Deputies who had just recently received their training. A police officer in CO was attacked by a dog while investigating a crime - the dog ripped open his brachial artery. Thanks to the officer's knowledge and his CAT Tourniquet kept close at hand, he survived a wound most would have perished from. I could go on with these stories, but suffice it to say that IFAKs save lives, both on the battlefield and here at home; so get a kit, make a plan, and practice, practice, practice.

When you are building an IFAK, as John mentioned, you need to keep it relative to the purpose, which is saving lives. A "boo-boo" kit should be kept seperately, the kind of thing you use to treat minor wounds such as cuts, bites, small burns, etc. It can be kept somewhere it may take you a minute to get to. Your IFAK, however, should be kept within easy reach at all times, and should be easily identifiable as a lifesaving tool should you need to direct someone else to get it.

There are several different loadouts for IFAKs - each branch of the military has a different version, for example. After consulting with our Army medic and our USAF PJ medic, here's the kit we build for our students:

-MOLLE Pouch
-CAT Tourniquet
-2x 4" Emergency Bandages
-35gram Celox
-Bolin Chest Seal
-H&H Compressed Gauze
-28fr Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)
-Shears
-2x Pair Latex Gloves

We used to include a Decompression Needle, but our IFAK has shifted from that stabilization technique and more to the lines of "stop the bleeding and start the breathing."

My personal kits have a few extras, depending on the function. In every one of my personal kits I have a Decomp Needle, Tape, a Triangular Bandage, and USGI Safety Pins. Depending on the kit, since I have several spread throughout vests, packs, vehicles, and the house, the contents may be added to, but never taken from. For example, in vehicle kits I have added AMK Emergency Blankets, since I am more likely to come across road accidents or weather-related mishaps, and need such a tool for shock and/or warmth. My truck kit also has extras of everything, since it is my primary vehicle when I am hunting, shooting, or camping. My pack kit has ACE Bandages, since it wil be with me when hiking or camping.

There are only two kits I have that are less than the standard list, and they include the three items I consider the most important: CAT Tourniquet, 4" Emergency Bandage, and H&H Gauze. With those items I can fix a number of injuries, and since these two kits are in locations where space is at a premium, I could take only the basics - my hydration pack I take mountain biking and the shoulder bag I take hunting.

Should you run out and buy a bunch of med supplies? If you have the funds, yes! But more importantly, learn how to use them, and not just through a video online or the instructions included with the product. We all spend so much time learning how to make holes, but most spend little or no time learning how to patch them up.

[Antman]

Glen i hope you don't mind me copying your list and advice to my jeep club's closed forum. Great advice
and I plan on doing something about a IFAK and the training.

[rizzo]

Bill, no worries, share away - just give Independence Training the credit. ;-)

Let me know if anyone has any questions from the Jeep forum and I'll be happy to answer them. For a Jeep user, I think an IFAK is necessary gear, especially considering the back country they find themselves in and the dangerous nature of what they do.

[Kevinjs1]

Bill, no worries, share away - just give Independence Training the credit. ;-)

Let me know if anyone has any questions from the Jeep forum and I'll be happy to answer them. For a Jeep user, I think an IFAK is necessary gear, especially considering the back country they find themselves in and the dangerous nature of what they do.

I agree. IFAK, recovery gear, water, extinguisher, radio and a map at minimum.