After assisting in teaching a course this past week with another tactical medic, and fielding dozens of questions regarding kits, gear to get, gear to carry, and so on I decided to post this here for some of the guys who may be asking the same question, "What is the bare minimum kit?" (As it pertains to an Individual First Aid Kit or Trauma Blow out kit).
After 9 years to present as an active Tactical Paramedic (14 years as a paramedic), and several TCCC/LETTC week long courses I have come to the informed opinion that there are 3 items that can handle most situations, as well as be a bare minimum kit for the non-medic, regular shooter.
-CAT or SOF-T Tourniquet (1)
-QuikClot Z Fold Gauze (Hemostatic Agent) (Get the Latest Generation NOT granular or old Gen Roll)
-Olaes Bandage
The tourniquets mentioned are the best. Done.
Quikclot is now proven to be the number one hemostatic agent.
The Olaes dressing has within its contents a plastic sheet that can be used as a chest seal, extra gauze for wound packing, eye cup/pressure point, and the dressing serves as an amazing pressure dressing.
With this hardware above, and the appropriate training to get you the right "software" in your head, you can provide exceptional care to reduce the fatality rate of the most common cause of preventable death in this line of work - Exsanguination (bleeding to death).
Tourniquet early, tourniquet fast. (high and tight).
Pack that wound with QuikClot onto the vessel if possible/into the cavity and HOLD PRESSURE FOR 3 MINUTES.
Secure wound site with pressure dressing.
Hope this helps some guys out. Remember, if you carry a gun you should carry a kit, it is as important as the bullets in your mags.
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