ffchewy17
05-18-13, 12:12
Wanted to post an endorsement for the DARK IFAK, from personal experience. I am a FF/EMT for a Large City Dept in central Florida. On a recent range trip with 3 fellow friends who I work with I managed to partially amputate my left pointer finger at the base knuckle, with an RMJ S13 Shrike. While doing some range maintenance I was hammering range stakes into the ground to mark 5,10,15,25 yard shooting lines. Like an idiot I was in a rush and was using the flat of the Hawk as a hammer and on the last stake the hawk twisted in my hand on a down swing. The sharpened spike was then facing directly down and glanced of the stake, striking my left hand and partially severing my left pointer finger. Lots of blood, exposed tendon, partially separated knuckle on my pointer finger and index finger.
I used the 2x Izzy bandage and 1 roll of Coban to stop the bleeding and hold the finger in place. All supplies was on hand immediately due to having a DARK IFAK on my belt.
This was not an accident, but an act of stupidity on my part. But this is a good example of always carrying your med gear and having the training to use it. I am lucky that my department dels with a lot of trauma calls and I had plenty of experienced helping hands with me.
Training can make up the difference for bad equipment, but good training and good equipment, like the DARK IFAK, can save a life or a finger.
I used the 2x Izzy bandage and 1 roll of Coban to stop the bleeding and hold the finger in place. All supplies was on hand immediately due to having a DARK IFAK on my belt.
This was not an accident, but an act of stupidity on my part. But this is a good example of always carrying your med gear and having the training to use it. I am lucky that my department dels with a lot of trauma calls and I had plenty of experienced helping hands with me.
Training can make up the difference for bad equipment, but good training and good equipment, like the DARK IFAK, can save a life or a finger.