Individual First Aid Kit

[The Stig]

This is my IFAK that rides on my range bag and I have a duplicate on my BCM03 harness. Both of them are based on the Maxpedition FR-1 med pouch which I personally find very useful.

The bag itself hangs on my range bag and has been drug to 4 different shooting classes, all sorts of weekly range trips, and various other events where it made sense to have an IFAK on hand. There are no signs of use, damage, etc.

I've had experience using this IFAK to deal with a gunshot wound. In the heat of the moment I found it easy to use and quick to access as you rip the zippers to the sides and the bag falls open to reveal the contents. This also provides easy access to the contents.

So speaking from (albeit small sample size) experience, this bag is GTG.

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/IMG_0258.jpg?t=1298836990

Once the bag plops open you see there's a fair amount of stuff jammed in there. Clearly obvious are the rubber gloves, trauma shears and CAT tourniquet. The shears & tourniquet are loose and on top so they can be quickly access to deal with a serious arterial bleed right away.

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/IMG_0259.jpg?t=1298837021

The "bottom" panel of the bag contains: compressed gauze, an ouchie kit (bandaids, burn cream, hydrocortisone, etc) a petroleum bandage and a celox gauze bandage.

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/IMG_0260.jpg?t=1298837135

The "top" panel of the IFAK contains: Israeli compression bandage, two packets of loose celox powder, burn cream, suture strips, H&H chest shield and a decompression needle.

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee427/ltlabner/IMG_0261.jpg?t=1298837250

One feature that would be a nice addition is a velcro tear-away panel. The velcro backing would attach to your molle/bag/chest rig and would hold the IFAK in place. When needed you rip the bag off and you can place it anywhere you wish. As it works now, the IFAK is attached to my range bag which means it could be cumbersome if space is limited.

There are several manfacturers of bag that make this velcro tear-away feature (Including Maxpedition) but I'm going to look into rolling my own retrofit sort of deal.

[LUNCHBOX]

Looks good....That burn free gel (shown above) works great. My father-in-law got an electric burn and used some of mine and said it worked great.

[mitunnelrat]

Great looking kit! I use the same pouch, and was amazed at the amount of stuff I got crammed in there. Have you considered strapping the CAT and shears to the outside though? I rerouted the shock cord on mine to the side. Its kept them locked in place for months now, and I EDC my bag. My thought is, if you need a tq, its needed "RFN", and even the few seconds to open the bag can be eliminated. The only other thing I'll be doing this - and its something that just hit me - is attaching one of those keychain exam glove/ CPR shield pouches on the outside too.

[The Stig]

Great looking kit! I use the same pouch, and was amazed at the amount of stuff I got crammed in there. Have you considered strapping the CAT and shears to the outside though? I rerouted the shock cord on mine to the side. Its kept them locked in place for months now, and I EDC my bag.

Never thought of that. Can you post pics?

That's a good idea as you are right. When it's time for a tq it's time.

[mitunnelrat]

Here you go:
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/mitunnelrat/004-5.jpg
I ran the cord between the shear's handles
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/mitunnelrat/005-4.jpg
and pic of the tear away panel you mentioned too:
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/mitunnelrat/003-4.jpg

[mitunnelrat]

I was just going over your kit again hoping to see the decomp needle. Did you get that through Chinook as well, I'm guessing? I saw they have them and wondered if you need a medical device certification to buy it like I've seen elsewhere.

[The Stig]

I was just going over your kit again hoping to see the decomp needle. Did you get that through Chinook as well, I'm guessing? I saw they have them and wondered if you need a medical device certification to buy it like I've seen elsewhere.

Got your PM but wanted to respond in case anybody else was curious.....but as you found out no, there is no medical device certification needed.

Another option for decompression needles is North American Rescue. Check out their ARS Needle. (http://www.narescue.com/ARS_for_Needle_Decompression_%2810_gauge_x_3.25_in .%29-CN7E3B6AE02718.html?BC=3C7457EA9AFA) Its more expensive but comes in its own handy plastic tube. The Chinook ones are in a paper/plastic film.

http://www.narescue.com/theme/nar/img/Products/ZZ-0298_a.jpg

[mitunnelrat]

Thanks! I know which one I'll be picking up then!

[bacpacker]

Very good info, thanks for posting.