What's in your... IFAK?

Putting together my Taco IFAK... what's the basics?

I have stuff for hemorrhage (combat gauze) and respiration (chest seal), but nothing for airway, head trauma, or burns. I do not have medical training other than combat lifesaver (military) so I don't need something that requires advance training.

I currently have my IFAK mounted on my passenger head rest.

Your input is always appreciated.

 

Good call. Tons of stuff including Celox wound clot. Also got a basic kit behind the back seat

 

it might sound weird, but i cant tell you how many hard situations a 20 dollar bill and a condom has gotten me out of

 

Latest gen Cat tourniquet, NPA, and decompression needle. Any medics point me to a good source for the decompression needle?

Edit: Scissors.

 

I got some emoji bandaids in the glove box.... scraped knees are about as far as we go for injuries.

 

CAT, quikclot, Israeli emergency dressing, gauze pack, self adherent wrap, salt packets, decompression needle, chest seal, medical scissors, medical gloves, one way face shield for giving cpr, then some basic meds and bandaid type stuff.

Edit; forgot Nasopharyngeal airway and gel for it.

 

Not a medic but chinook med has really good prices. Used them for my range box and SHTF kit.

https://www.chinookmed.com/

 

Water-Jel is great for burns. I have it in my range box but don’t carry it. Last time I was in a situation with a bad accident off duty paramedics and EMTs were on site a few seconds behind me pulling over.

https://www.waterjel.com/

 

Ok, what’s IFAK? Assume first aid kit, but what’s the I?

 

Me, myself and I. Individual.

 

Warning; contains more acronyms

https://www.military.com/equipment/individual-first-aid-kit-ifak

 

The horror. Ironically, being around medics is the best. They have the best stories.

 

I keep three kits: a regular small FAK, trauma kit separate from regular supplies, and a mobile trauma kit. CAT and israeli dressing in the trauma kit, and mobile trauma kit on belt with quick release tab for in the field when working with blades or chainsaws.

The common kits you can get are going to be a great start, and then you will need to customize for your own needs. I don't try to be a walking hospital, and I know when I need to get out for help, so I keep it small and to the point with what I carry.

Not in your kit, but great things to have are some sort of radio, and definitely invest in wilderness first aid or similar training!

Also scissors.

 

Exactly- based off most likely scenario you expect to encounter for where you go or what you do. Meant to save life not fix boo boos.

Which is why my range kit is more pronounced then my others.

Op- you asked IFAK specific, my main kit and most used is the basic Adventure Medical Kit .9.

IFAK supplements but not likely needed.

 

For an honest reply from someone who’s built his own kit,the quick rundown is.

CPR
Mouth insert for rescue breath’s

TRAUMA
Swat-t tourniquets
Israeli bandages 4” and 6”
Gauze rolls and tape
Shears
Window punch and seatbelt cutter


SHOCK
Space blankets
Hand warmers

I have other items in my kit but everything else is for things I’m personally comfortable applying to myself or family, the list above is what I’ve been adequately trained to apply to others and is focused primarily in what I may see in accidents on the road.

 

I’ve been an RN for 27 years, been there and cared for 9/11 casualties working in ICU. May I suggest PPE equipment for responders? Aside from CPR Basics and first aid..Face mask with eye shield, goggles, banana waterproof gown, rubber boots and gloves ?
Maybe carry a Cervical Collars for an unwitnessed trauma ? Think before you act, do not become the second causality.

 

IFAK Individual First Aid Kit

 

Former EMT here, the best thing you can have is good training. Basic and advanced first aid, CPR, maybe even a wilderness medicine class. Know how to maintain C-spine, how to take and interpret vitals, etc. Beyond that you need personal protective equipment (gloves at minimum). Realistically, for the avewrage person in most situations, it's about stopping the bleeding until better qualified help arrives. If I were the patient, I would rather have a well trained person with minimal supplies working on me than a non trained person with a bunch of cool "stuff".

 

Military trauma nurse here. 14g IV catheter. But I caution if you haven't been trained to do it. Don't.