Medic Backpack Recomendations

[Cold Zero]

Just wanted to see if the London Bridge Trading pack was still the Cadillac of packs?

http://www.londonbridgetrading.com/M1WebGear/ProductDetails.aspx?PartUniqueID=62B5307D-C6AE-4D04-9850-3C6EE489F779

Thanks.

[Gutshot John]

Just wanted to see if the London Bridge Trading pack was still the Cadillac of packs?

http://www.londonbridgetrading.com/M1WebGear/ProductDetails.aspx?PartUniqueID=62B5307D-C6AE-4D04-9850-3C6EE489F779

Thanks.

What are your intended needs? How many are you intending to support for how long?

[NinjaMedic]

It is indeed. The newer production runs have, to my understanding, moved one of the upper handles to the front flap instead of the middle flap similar to the blackhawk knockoffs. It allows you to grab the pack and move with your patient without taking the time to zip up the front flap which is nice. I have had mine for years now with no issue, nobody that I have seen (I MEAN NOBODY) makes a med pack that come close to being as rugged as the LBT product. For the civy side StatPacks is doing a pretty good job with their medical backpacks as far as configuration goes but they are nowhere near as rugged. We usually end up replacing the bags on our medic unit every 6 months or so as they are falling apart but that has been true with any manufacturer we have used except LBT for all of our specialty mission bags.

Something else to look at if you are in and out of vehicles constantly and can sacrifice some space is the TSSI M-9 Med Pack. Its a lot flatter than the LBT style pack so if you are in a hurry you can sit upright in a vehicle while wearing the pack.

http://store.tacsurv.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=482&prodid=TSS-M-9-CT

Also for personal kits I keep one of these (http://www.londonbridgetrading.com/m1webgear/ProductDetails.aspx?PartUniqueID=6E560183-B50A-4A9D-891F-8A84BFD9494A) LBT bags in each of my vehicles as it is perfect for carrying anything I might conceivably need off duty. (even though I have my pack in my truck usually anyway)

[militarymoron]

have you guys checked out the CTOMS pack?
http://ctoms.ca/07/equipment/detail.php?product_id=83

i have one - i'm not using as a med pack though (it can be used a a general use pack system with a lot of organization), and it's very well thought out.

[NinjaMedic]

I havent been able to put hands on one yet, are you planning to put a review up on your website?

[Cold Zero]

What are your intended needs? How many are you intending to support for how long?

1-2 injured.

Short term/ for day trips.

[Cold Zero]

[QUOTE=militarymoron;451813]have you guys checked out the CTOMS pack?



$695 CAD is a bit pricey, nice pack though. Any ideas less expensive?

[Gutshot John]

1-2 injured.

Short term/ for day trips.

That's a lot of pack for that number of people. An old-school "Unit 1" (if you want to go cheap) is more than adequate for 1-2 injured on short-term trips.

For something a bit more modern, this would be more than enough as well. You can even get it fully stocked, for less than an empty LBT pack.
http://www.tacmedsolutions.com/07/products/product_detail.php?prod_id=31

[militarymoron]

I havent been able to put hands on one yet, are you planning to put a review up on your website?

yes, but not stocked as a med pack - i'm using it for a shooting pack. but you can see all the features.




$695 CAD is a bit pricey, nice pack though. Any ideas less expensive?

it's actually two packs for that price. you did ask for a cadillac of packs... ;)

the CEO of CTOMS, chris kopp, was one of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry paratroopers that were involved in the friendly fire incident where an F-16 dropped a 500 lb bomb on them and killed 4 CAN soldiers. it was this experience/event that inspired him to create CTOMS and provide better medical training and equipment for soldiers.
there's an article on the incident - scroll down to 'the bomb that shook a country':
http://www.lilithgallery.com/articles/canada/2006/Canadas-Fallen-Soldiers.html

[militarymoron]

1-2 injured.

Short term/ for day trips.

the CTOMS pack would be a bit much for you then - it's meant for a combat medic and more than 1-2 injured.

[MIKE G]

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[Danny Boy]

I'm in Army Whiskey training at the moment and we're issued the LBT pack. It's nicely made and very comfortable. I agree with a lot of what Doc Stewie says about it though.

If I were purchasing for myself, so far the only pack I like the look of that strikes the balance between quality, price and end user configurability seems to be the Eagle one.

I'm a noob to this though.

[Cold Zero]

Doc Stewie and others thanks for the comments. I have nixed the LBT bag and will look into the Eagle bag.

Any comments on the Blackhawk STOMP 2 ?

[MIKE G]

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[Cold Zero]

OK, The B.H. is out too. This is the one you referred to?

http://www.eagleindustries.com/product.php?productid=480&cat=60&page=1

I think I will get this one. You can never go wrong with Eagle gear.

I would have liked the inside pouches to be clear, or to have velcro so the pouches can have the contents marked. I guess no such animal?

[MIKE G]

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[Brian617]

Cold Zero,

Sorry to take this thread off topic, but I am interested in your 9mm WWB ammo if it's still available. I think your PM and e-mail box is full. If you are still interested in selling it, please let me know what would be the best way to contact you. Thanks!

[airwayguru]

Conterra has some good medical backpacks. I own there Longbow for several years now I am liking it. It has survived several mission trips adn lotts of special events. I can pack all my gear in there and still have room for extra stuff.

Conterra's packs can add pouchs to customize for your mission.

[NinjaMedic]

I personally like the organization of the LBT bag for my purposes. However typically I am only caring for two or three patients at a time and not a whole mess of them. I also dislike multiple pouches as I like to access the item I am reaching for simply by opening the bag. The two pouches I do use are the LBT med pouch to protect my meds and I pack my airway supplies in a Conterra airway roll that I think works great as you throw it next to the pt's head and you have everything you need for airway management at your fingertips and when you need to move you just flap it shut and throw it back in the pack.

[blade_68]

Have any pros here used a Camel Bac BMF with med insert? or some thing like that? in the one I used in Iraq I packed med gear in lower pocket new issue field dressings and such. during one mission my Squads medic used my kit due to me having the med gear needed not in issue kit..:o had a kid with burned left side of body ear burned about off. tough kid..

[G-2]

We keep a rather intricate trauma bag which is part of our Hurricane package. We use the BDS bag (here http://www.bdstacticalgear.com/pd-combat-trauma-medic-bag.cfm) and are pleased with it. It's large yet compact.

[HES]

Nice pack, but man those prices are high, we at least to me they are considering my needs.

[G-2]

We know what you mean about the catalog prices. We paid 20% off catalog price, which made the rig $220.00 including the rush. We've got some coupons, pm us if you're interested.

[Iraq Ninja]

I have a LBT bag but had the same issues that Mike G has with it. My operational situation is unique in that we use Land Cruisers and I needed a bag that I could use in the back seat, but also carry around on venues if needed. We have fully stocked Stat Packs in the rear of the vehicles, but it is often difficult to access if you have just cross decked 4 guys into your vehicle.

So, I started using a SO Tech bag that I can sling over my shoulder. It works well within the confines of a vehicle when you pull it across the front of your body.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/Iraqninja/theboyzones004.jpg

[Decon]

I carry a TAG adv med pack, but we also have all 3 of blackhawk's packs. Most of the guys prefer the STOMP II.

[MIKE G]

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[HES]

Youve piqued my interest. What are the exterior dimensions on this bag?

[rob_s]

Mike, I think that bag looks great, as we discussed previously. Something I definitely want to keep an eye on.

[Iraq Ninja]

Mike G,

How long do your prefilled saline flushes hold up?

What is your opinion of the basic saline lock compared to the needle-free valve ports such as the SmartSite? I tend to prefer the standard saline lock, but understand the concern with using needles. But, does the SmartSite have a use in combat trauma care outside of definitive care?

[ST911]

I hate to be the voice of dissent but the LBT bag leaves quite a bit to be desired. It is an OK bag, very tough and durable, BUT it is excessively organized to the point that you end up with a lot of options that dont get used and simply add weight.


I have a LBT bag but had the same issues that Mike G has with it.

I think the LBT, BHI STOMP 2, and same pattern is best as an expeditionary base camp type of bag that may need to be packed and moved between fixed locations, rather than something to be carried around and worked out of in the field or in a vehicle.

[MIKE G]

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[Pathfinder Ops]

I hate to be the voice of dissent but the LBT bag leaves quite a bit to be desired. It is an OK bag, very tough and durable, BUT it is excessively organized to the point that you end up with a lot of options that dont get used and simply add weight.

Do you need 50 elastic loops sized for a specific manufacturers needles/IV caths?

Do you need to pullout bag for your meds? A pelican case still works better in that pullout section.

Are you going to carry a full on adult and pediatric advanced airway kit for short day trips?

What are you going to keep in the surgical section?

I have two or three of the LBTs and one of the original BHI bags. Yeah they are sexy and look cool with all the loops and velcro and stuff but they see very limited use in my deployments.

The majority of my gear gets packaged up in water/dust proof packages and I use mesh or nylon bags/pouches to carry specific kits. I like just a bit more organization than a RAID pack or Marauder for a full size pack and carry the bag I designed the MIKE Sack for immediate needs.

My LBT bags are packed as a clinic bag to be used as a static bag back up if I have to setup a clinic in a connex/vehicle on the spot due to damage to my primary clinic. I dont plan on carrying that thing out in the world because it is not scalable and if I get wet the gear inside is likely to get wet because the organization doesnt allow for packaging up small usable kits.

For a full sized kit I really like the Eagle AIII med bag, mucho cheaper and the organization is minimal in comparison.


I have a buddy who used the CTOMs bag in Iraq and I got to mess with it a bit and it was OK but didnt do much for me BUT he LOVED it.

I will stick with my MIKE Sack and Marauder. But hey, I designed it for me so I am partial.


DOC

+1 to this post.

Look MY experience is fairly considerable and it remains only MY observations based on that but:

Cost to function ratio makes it a high quality bag but you don't really gain anything unique to justify the expense.

Believe it or not we have 5 different largish bags we use for our training programs and you know which one the students default to frequently?

Blackhawk's STOMP II. By the end of the weeks training they use it almost exclusively.

I'm not a lable shopper guy. Its gotta be about function in wide scope of practices.

I'm not saying any of the bags mentioned are not good but the big bucks bags in our experience don't deliver anything worthy of their prices.

[MIKE G]

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[Pathfinder Ops]

Guys for what it's worth this the bag in MikeG's post looks very much like one I use personally for short term ops. My SRT team, EP/ PSD work etc..

Smaller than the STOMP style bags and very useful.

I got it from TSS (Tactical Supply Specialties). Its fully modular inside. All pockets are movable and its a lower profils kit than the STOMPs.

I'll try to post some pics of it if I can figure out how to do that.

Its not the exact same bag but damned near.

Also has anyone looked at the Crossbow Special response pack? I can't remember who makes it but one of my medics on my TEMS team uses one for his kit and LOVES it. He likes how it contours to the body and is big enough for short term work. It's also hydration pack compatible.

My only concern about it is it is NOT made from the thicker ballistic nylon like the milspec ones tend towards.....

[MIKE G]

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[Pathfinder Ops]

Pathfinder,

You are correct. I am not sure when the TSSI bag came out but the first iteration of my bag was built in mid 2005. Since then I think a lot of people have come to realize the value of smaller, lower profile bags either in a stand alone position or scalable approach like mine where it can be latched onto a main pack that is left in a vehicle or cold/warm zone.

Here is the link to the TSSI Bag I think you are referring to: http://store.tacsurv.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=482&prodid=TSS-M-9-CT

My very first med bag was the TSSI M5 back in the late 90s. I still have that bag and it is still a great bag, just not as low profile as I prefer.

BINGO!!!

And +1 to the M5 bag.... I still have mine as well. I use it onboard my sailboat as the med kit for when we are there. It's BLS & ALS till the seems stretch, but I don't have to carry it. lol