Soldiers and tactical personnel are often exposed to injuries from gunfire, shrapnel. The injuries caused by gunshot is life threatening and you need immediate care.
In combat zones, the casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) time is often longer than in civilian scenarios. Based on research data from various military studies and Tactical Combat Casualty Care principles (TCCC) that "90% of combat deaths occur before the casualty reaches definitive care".
According to the TCCC guidelines, care on the battlefield is broken down into 3 phases: Care Under Fire (Hot Zone), Tactical Field Care (Warm Zone), Casualty Evacuation Care (Cold Zone). The focus on immediate battlefield care is based on the fact that most combat fatalities result from preventable causes such as severe hemorrhage, airway compromise, and tension pneumothorax, all of which need immediate attention before the casualty can be evacuated to the hospital. That is why having a military survival Kit (individual first aid kit) is crucial to save lives.
But how to choose a reliable Individual First Aid kit ? What medical supplies are essential with limited budget ? A reliable Military Survival Kit is really crucial to keep solders alive. The right medical supplies can mean the difference between life and death. Here are some tips to find suitable military survival kit.
Essential Supplies for Military Survival Kit
Tourniquet:
Essential for stopping life-threatening bleeding from limb injuries.
CAT tourniquet from North American Rescue is tested and recommended by TCCC. One of the most trustable tourniquets in the world. If you have massive bleeding, the blood should be stopped in 30 seconds, the tourniquet should be ready to use staged so you could apply immediately to stop the bleed. One tourniquet may not enough. Click here to know why we need more than one tourniquet.
Vented Chest seal:
For gunshot wound on the chest. A vented chest seal allows air to escape from the wound and prevent air from entering. This is essential in preventing tension pneumothorax. Basically 2pcs vented chest seal are required, one for entry wound, another for exit wound. The most crucial point is to stop the air entering and evacuate to the hospital.
Choose vented or non-vented chest seal ? Click here to know more.
Compressed gauze:
The compressed gauze is designed for packing into deep wounds to control bleeding such as those caused by gunshots. The gauze should be applied internal pressure directly to bleeding vessels, after the application of the compressed gauze, press the wound till the bleeding the stopped.
How many compressed gauzes are required in the IFAK kit ?
When packing a deep wound with compressed gauze, it's crucial to ensure that the wound cavity is filled to effectively control bleeding. However, one pack of compressed gauze may not be long enough to pack the entire wound. In such cases, two or more compressed gauzes are required to fully pack the wound. When you pack the second compressed gauze, leave part of the first gauze as a "tail" outside the wound, this helps doctors easily locate and remove the gauze during further treatment or surgery. If the wound is packed without this tail, it could be difficult for the doctor to locate and remove the gauze efficiently.
How to choose correct IFAK kits ?
Bleeding Control Kit
A bleeding control kit is suitable for the situations when you are likely to return from high risk activities in short time or if you are in an urban environment.
If you're sure that you'll be back within a short period, such as a quick work shift or an urban commute, a basic bleeding control kit provides essential supplies like a tourniquet, trauma dressing, and gauze to manage severe bleeding. Ambulance could come to pick you shortly.
A basic bleeding control kit includes these medical supplies:
Content list:
2 x Tourniquets
2 x Compressed Gauze
2 x Nitrile Gloves
1 x Trauma bandage
2. Standard Individual First Aid Kit
If you are looking for something more comprehensive, you need to choose the Individual First Aid Kit based on MARCH principles (Massive Hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, Hypothermia) to provide a well-rounded set of tools for effective casualty care.
Content list:
2 x Tourniquets
1 x Compressed Gauze
2 x Nitrile Gloves
2 x Vented Chest Seals
1 x Trauma bandage
1 x NPA
1 x Survival Blanket
1 x Duct Tape
1 x trauma shears
3. Multiple Medical Kit for multiple wounds
Lastly, if you will be in the real battlefield, you are suggested to bring more medical kits. Nowadays due to the drones are being widely used, casualties have to evacuate at night to avoid drone attack, so casualties need more time to survive and the medical kits should contains the medical supplies for multiple wounds.
Content list:
Splint, burning dressing, eye shield, bandages, scissors, Painkillers, Medicine, duct tape, triangular bandage, more extensive tools.
There are many good brands of Individual First Aid Kits like NAR, Combat Medical, etc.
And if you are looking for reliable and affordable Individual first aid kit, you need to make sure they are real tested and reliable in high stress condition. Any reliable IFAK kits could save lives.
So, no matter what brand you consider for your Individual First Aid Kit, you'll need to make sure all the essential medical supplies are included and real battlefield tested. The medical supplies is required based on your situation, nowadays, more medical kits is always a good choice as drone is being widely used on battlefield, you never know what would happen next. Beside, preparing medical kits is not the only key to save lives, search and read guidelines or attend TCCC/TECC/Stop the Bleed training to ensure you know how to use your medical kits in emergencies.
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