IFAK MANDATORY MINIMUMS

To follow up on the mandatory minimums series that I started last week. (CLICK HERE TO SEE BUG OUT OR GET HOME BAG MINIMUMS) Today we are going to explore what items should be considered mandatory in your IFAK but first!

RTS RAPID DEPLOYMENT IFAK

WHAT IS AN IFAK?

The individual first aid kit (IFAK) is a pouch that is carried, on your person, that contains the items necessary to stop the two most common causes of traumatic death: Severe hemorrhage and airway obstruction due to traumatic injury. The implementation of these kits by the military has saved countless numbers of lives.

Whether you are spending a day at the range, conducting a field training exercise (FTX) with your group, or during active deployment this is a critical piece of equipment that is often overlooked.

BASIC IFAK MANDATORY MINIMUMS

In order ensure continuity within your group and to standardize your kit for ease of use. I believe that this is the minimum you need to have in your IFAK. Add to the kit to help it fit your needs only after you have the items below, but if you do make sure your team is aware of the items you added and where they are located within your pouch.

WHAT SHOULD I HAVE?

Some of the items listed are readily available and you can simply click on them.

• BURN DRESSING
• COMBAT (HEMOSTATIC GAUZE) QUICK CLOT AGENT
• NITRAL GLOVES
• ISRAELI BANDAGE
• PEN LIGHT
• PERMANENT MARKER
• PRESSURE DRESSING
• TOURNIQUET (1 MAND. 2 RECOMMENED) (see my disclaimer about these below)
• TRAUMA SHEARS
• CHEST SEAL ASHERMANN OR EQUAL
• KLING WRAP
• 5X9 TRAUMA PAD
• EXTRA GAUZE 4X4 STERILE
• NASAL PHARYNGEAL AIRWAY FITTED TO YOUR RIGHT NARE – APPROX SIZE OF YOUR PINKY FINGER (DIAMETER)
• TRAUMA TAPE
• POCKET FACE MASK

The debates on tourniquets are as spirited as the debates on whether a Glock or a 1911 is the better gun. Let me say this! I have used both expensive TK’s and cheap Chinese TK’s while in the field as a medic. I have never had one fail on me. EVER! With that being said it is a tool that when it is needed failure is not an option.

Image Credit Traumamonkeys.com

Your groups or organization’s SOP will dictate where your IFAK belongs on your kit – usually it’s over your kidney or just above your waist on your dominant side – but if they haven’t standardized the location and your free to choose, think about how you’ll react in an emergency. If you’re wearing a plate carrier, you may want to fit it between holsters, mag pouches and other attachments.

Here’s what to keep in mind when you’re attaching your IFAK to your gear:

• Your IFAK should be used to treat you – if someone else is injured, use his or her IFAK. It’s just like the military’s rule on tourniquets: Never use your own tourniquet on your buddy. Consider placing it where someone else will be able to access it best.
• Put your IFAK somewhere you can get to it with either hand in case your dominant hand is incapacitated.
• Attach your IFAK where it won’t affect you drawing your firearm. For example, if you use a drop-leg holster, you need to practice and make sure the first-aid kit doesn’t get in your way.

Your IFAK has to provide easy access – not just for you, but for someone who might be treating you. As long as you or someone else can reach it, and as long as you have basic supplies to stop bleeding and sucking chest wounds, you’ll be ready to handle the vast majority of battlefield emergency medical situations until you can get definitive care.

I sincerely hope this helps get you started

-Tooch

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