IFAK MUST HAVES

BASIC INDIVIDUAL FIRST AID KIT (IFAK) - I cannot stress enough, "IF YOU ARE NOT TRAINED ON A PIECE OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE IT WITHOUT INSTRUCTION OR PROPER SUPERVISION."  As someone trained in COMBAT FIRST AID (CFA) and TACTICAL COMBAT CASUALTY CARE (TCCC), I have a slightly higher then normal level of training then your average person.  As such I've 1. Come to be trained on certain products and 2. Come to prefer certain products over time.  My first pick is the OLAES Mudular Bandages be it 4 inch, 6 inch, or the blast bandage.  The 4 inch and 6 inch compression bandages have thin velcro strips about every foot or so to keep the bandage from unrolling and dropping it and then getting dirt in the wound.  Additionally you can remove the packing from the pocket which allows you to wet it for things like burn dressing or use as packing if you have run out of gauze.  Additionally there is a small plastic cup which kind of helps apply direct pressure to the wound, but it can also be removed and placed over a wounded eye (again proper training). The Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) is one of the most effective field Tourniquets available on the market at this time.  Additionally its compact easy to use with one or two hands if you need to apply it to yourself.  Now it has a locking tension bar with a white velcro securing strap.  The white strap has a location to write down the time you applied the CAT.  That said by the time the guy/you get to the medics they aren't going to be able to read it so just write on a forehead or hand (again proper training).  Shears, I like the ones CTOMS sells but a set of MOJO shears work good to.  So long as you can cut the clothing off and cut through thick straps with relative ease it should be good.  QUICK CLOT COMBAT GAUZE,  I love this stuff, I loved it as a powder I love it more as a gauze for packing wounds.  What really gets me is the zig zag strip of x-ray visible thread in it (military/LEO version).  I chalk it up to the magic goodness of the medical fairy dust they put in it so don't ask me how it works cause all I know is it just works.  Now additional things you'll want are a casualty card for recording detailed information gloves to prevent contamination or infection.  Previously I left out the Chest Seal,  I'm a fan of the HALO Chest Seal as the cover a large surface are and come two to a package.  Additionally HALO Chest Seals will stick to just about anything whether it's dry or wet.

Now I'm not going to talk about Needles or NPA's as that gets into "specialty training" and I don't want to encourage people to try this stuff without proper education and standards of testing from a qualified instructor.  Additionally all of these products are meant to be "used on you", either "by yourself or someone trained" to patch you up and "move you to a medical facility".

I can't stress enough, specially with something like tourniquets, NPA's, and needles, If you don't know what you are doing you are going to kill or maim someone.  And that someone is likely going to be someone you care about.

If you don't have the training and want it or need to have your current training updated either notify your employer (if that is an option) or contact a professional medical education center like CTOMS, DARK ANGEL MEDICAL, St JOHNS AMBULANCE or the RED CROSS/CRESCENT.  Whatever you don't use this stuff thinking you can just read the instructions like an M72 and walk way afterwards.