Kit Recommendations

[K.L. Davis]

Active Lists:
Burn Pack (https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?p=394168#post394168)
GSW Kit (https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=33984)
Lightweight Hiking/Backpacking Kit (https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=32888)
Let's talk bare-bones BOK (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=41759)
Officer Down Bleeder Kit (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=41733)
Building a couple first aid kits...Need feedback on contents (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=41256)
GSW/Blowout kit (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=40128)
Boo Boo & Trauma Kits (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=39798)
"Full" kit (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=34406)
Components of a decent trauma kit (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=27217)
Patrol First Aid Kit (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=33915)

Feel free to post recommendations or ideas... links to discussions.

[FMF_Doc]

Burn Kit - burn care gets overlooked a lot.

[Pathfinder Ops]

Burn Kit - burn care gets overlooked a lot.

Yes it does and oddly enough it is not an uncommon issue. especially amongst Backpacker camper types.

[vaspence]

Yup, I was ignorant of it myself (burn kit), until I took the WFR course this year. It is not an uncommon injury amongst the back country folk due to the amount of tiny ass stoves. Gave me chills when we discussed it, how many times have you cooked with your stove on the picnic table or rock above your waist?

And since the GSW post was directed here, I took 2 TK-4s and a SOF-T with me to the WFR course. The TK 4s were very versatile from use as a compression bandage, splint wrap, immobilizing the head on a stretcher, etc. I was very impressed with it's versatility especially for its size. I do struggle putting it on one handed as a tourniquet though. Any tips?

Spence

[rob_s]

On the non-professional side...

One thing I was completely clueless about before buying a bunch of gear was the shear size of some of this stuff. The biggest offender in terms of size is the compression bandages. Oales, Israeli, whatever, they take up a LOT of space. Go with a 6"' (that most seem to prefer) and it's even harder to store. One of the things I'm working on for my site is some pictures of all these things to show the relative sizes so that people have an idea what to expect. Pretty much all my plans went out the window once I had some of these things in hand.

Something else I had started working on and lost track of was comparing a lot of known IFAK and the like, from the USMC to the Army to other commercially packed kits like the BFG TKN.

[Flight-ER-Doc]

On the non-professional side...

One thing I was completely clueless about before buying a bunch of gear was the shear size of some of this stuff. The biggest offender in terms of size is the compression bandages. Oales, Israeli, whatever, they take up a LOT of space. Go with a 6"' (that most seem to prefer) and it's even harder to store. One of the things I'm working on for my site is some pictures of all these things to show the relative sizes so that people have an idea what to expect. Pretty much all my plans went out the window once I had some of these things in hand.

Something else I had started working on and lost track of was comparing a lot of known IFAK and the like, from the USMC to the Army to other commercially packed kits like the BFG TKN.


I carry a few 4" bandages (Izzy or OALES) and only 1 or 2 bigger (6") bandages. The stuff is bulky though...pretty much all medical supplies except drugs are.

[Pathfinder Ops]

On the non-professional side...

One thing I was completely clueless about before buying a bunch of gear was the shear size of some of this stuff. The biggest offender in terms of size is the compression bandages. Oales, Israeli, whatever, they take up a LOT of space. Go with a 6"' (that most seem to prefer) and it's even harder to store. One of the things I'm working on for my site is some pictures of all these things to show the relative sizes so that people have an idea what to expect. Pretty much all my plans went out the window once I had some of these things in hand.

Something else I had started working on and lost track of was comparing a lot of known IFAK and the like, from the USMC to the Army to other commercially packed kits like the BFG TKN.

This is a topic we spend a fair amount of time and energy with through working with our clients and students. The truth is this stuff does get bulky and a if you are trying to put together a truly across the board IFAK some concessions need to be made.

Its a matter of your skills/ knowledge/ mission and relative access to the next level of care in a timely fashion.

If access to a higher level of care is not in short order and you may need to care for your self longer you will need more stuff.

Its a balancing act and there is not a definitive equation.

I struggle with this personally beyond my professional endeavor. As a Paramedic (20+years) and Tactical Medic on SRT (8+years) I still haven't figured out what is "BEST" and certainly for "every" mission.

[sniperbusch@hotmail.com]

This why I ended up mounting my OSOE Tear Off on third line gear as it became to bulky for my preference on my rig. I opted for a HSGI Bleeder Pouch and a TK Carrier for the low pro. Everything is still work in progress.

[Dann in Ohio]

Short of driving an ambulance everywhere you go, you are going to have to make some compromises. I've been fairly please with the Tactical Medical Packs since they are vacuum packed and easily slide into a BDU/ACU pocket or into and existing first-aid kit.

I'm no expert, but I had a post on my blog about this topic last month if any one is interested:

http://godgalsgunsgrub.blogspot.com/2011/07/first-aid-and-thinking-ahead-with-guns.html

Dann in Ohio

[K.L. Davis]

I am working with a couple of sources right now to put out a "boo-boo bag"

It is designed to augment an IFAK/BOK and give you a lot of the smaller stuff and snivel kit. The list has been put together from the input of several people and the contents fit in a very compact little bag.

Here is the rundown:
Duct Tape
Q-Tips
Tweezers
finger scalpel
1 X 3 adhesive bandages
large adhesive bandages
knuckle bandages
Steri-Strips
Aspirin
Acetaminophen
Ibuprophen
Diphenhydramine
Bismuth Subsalicylate
Electrolyte Tabs
Sun Block
Blistex
Floss picks
4X4 Gauze Pad
2X2 Gauze Pads
2X3 non-adherent dressing
Triple Antibiotic
Petroleum Jelly
Burn Cream
Insect Rep Wipe
Iodine Wipe
Alcohol Wipe
Sting eze
PAWS Wipes

One of the "beta" kits
https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=2117

Feel free to comment...

[zekus480]

I was going through my PCI checklist for my gear and when I got to my personal FAK, and I discovered that I had overlooked a space blanket. I am an army medic and sometimes work with a forward surgical team and a MEDEVAC unit. Evac times are pretty good, however sometimes a bird can be delayed based on enemy activity.

I have a few hypothermia preventing items in my aid bag knowing that blood moves heat through the body and loss of it can make a patient hypothermic, but it never occurred to me to have a small space blanket in my personal FAK. I try to have my gear as low profile as possible (based on an embarrassing situation I put myself into involving a helicopter and advice from Kyle Defoor), but I’ll be putting one into mine.

I have my tourniquet attached to the front of my IOTV above my mags high enough that they don't interfere with a reload.

Contents of my FAK packed in a Tactical Tailor Vertical E&E pouch:
1 ea 36 fr Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA/ nose hose)
2 ea Hyfin chest seals
2 ea 14ga 31/4" needle catheters
1ea 6" Izzy
2 ea Combat Gauze packets
1 ea space blanket

[rob_s]

Kino, looks like a good list to me.

Something that might be interesting would be to list beside each thing what it is used for (yes, some are obvious). I bet their are secondary uses for even some of the most obvious items, and some may be items that the layman wouldn't think of applications for.

[stitchclimber]

Looks like a great "boo boo" kit.

However I would add additional items for more severe trauma.
Something to contain massive hemorrhaging. (Gauze rolls, quickclot, Israeli bandage ect...)
As well as a triangular bandage for wrapping and splinting.

[K.L. Davis]

Looks like a great "boo boo" kit.

However I would add additional items for more severe trauma.
Something to contain massive hemorrhaging. (Gauze rolls, quickclot, Israeli bandage ect...)
As well as a triangular bandage for wrapping and splinting.
It is designed to augment an IFAK/BOK

[chuckman]

Feel free to comment...

That's a nicely stocked kit. I like the sun block...often overlooked until after the fact.

[K.L. Davis]

Kino, looks like a good list to me.

Something that might be interesting would be to list beside each thing what it is used for (yes, some are obvious). I bet their are secondary uses for even some of the most obvious items, and some may be items that the layman wouldn't think of applications for.

Good call Rob, I marked up a few things... also, this pack is intended for those that are going to be isolated for a few days... and again, it is not a stand alone IFAK, it is intended to augment the trauma kit that folks are already carrying.

Duct Tape - Too many freaking uses to list
Q-Tips - Cleaning, probing and medicament application
Tweezers - Tweezering, tick/stinger removal
finger scalpel - cutting and poking
1 X 3 adhesive bandages
large adhesive bandages
knuckle bandages - Great bandages, fit lots of goofy shapes
Steri-Strips
Aspirin - Primary Blood Thinner/Heart Treatment; also Analgesic
Acetaminophen- Primary Analgesic (non-inflammation); also Fever Reducer
Ibuprophen - Primary NSAID
Diphenhydramine - Primary Treatment for Allergic Reaction; also Hay Fever, Common Allergies, Motion Sickness, Sleep Aid.
Bismuth Subsalicylate - Primary Antidiarrheal and Antiemetic
Electrolyte Tabs
Sun Block - Keeps Yancey ready for those unexpected photo ops
Blistex
Floss picks - Oral hygiene, also used to probe and clean wounds
4X4 Gauze Pad
2X2 Gauze Pads
2X3 non-adherent dressing
Triple Antibiotic
Petroleum Jelly - only a few less uses than duct tape
Burn Cream
Insect Rep Wipe - After use, tie the wipe to the top of your pack or shelter
Iodine Wipe - Used for wound cleaning, also can be used to treat water
Alcohol Wipe
Sting eze - Alcohol and somecaine as a topical analgesic, good for numbing
PAWS Wipes

Note: Floss picks replaced actual dental floss... in a field environment it was found that keeping your dirty booger pickers out of your mouth as much possible is not a bad idea.