You should still add the old, but tried and true, GI triangle bandage. I know I am dating myself, and is now a back up, but its nice to be able to elevate an injury to the arm, and I have actually seen articles about 101 ways to use a triangle bandage. When I was active duty, we were taught how to use it as a bandage, how to tighten to use as a pressure bandage and how to quickly modify it as a tourniquet . If you got a second one, the second one was a pre-water filter before boiling. , You could wet it and place over your head or on your neck,. May sound silly, but the safety pins were gold to us.
Not for IFAK. As a medic, I carry them in my aid bag, but never recommend them for your IFAK. Put it in your GP pouch or your assault pack. They are a great versatile item though.
Not dating yourself at all, we use triangles daily on the rig. Definitely a useful item but as mentioned I probably wouldn’t put one in an IFAK. I’d keep it in a larger kit elsewhere, being it’s not necessarily an immediately life saving device
@@alexandervinckenbos The purpose of the IFAK is to be used on you, the wearer. The wearer does not dictate what goes inside. That's the medic's job. It's a versatile tool but it's not better than a dedicated item. For example, it can be used as a pressure bandage, but a dedicated bandage such as the NAR ETA works better. Another example, is you can use the Cravat as an improvised TQ, but a NAR CAT works better and has empirical data to back up it's efficacy. So yeah, I'll do me. -a medic
Good on you for including water. I gave up trying have nice, organized, IFAK pouches on every piece of kit years ago...these days I stuff everything, including a TQ and some water purification tabs, into one of them gallon freezer bags, and that's what get's stuffed in my pouches, cargo pocket, ruck, etc. Easy to pull out, can toss the entire kit to someone else, if needed, and the bag itself is a water container. Cheap, multipurpose stuff rulez. Crap, I've become my grandpa.
A good thing to carry along with a decompression needle is an indexing card such as the Sam Thorasite. Knowing how to use needle decompression on others it cool, but won't save you from dying if you are the injured one. And with such an indexing template it's easy for your buddies to save you, even if their last medical course was a decade ago. And it takes up literally no space at all.
Man you guys have come along way since the 70's when I was in, I love it. But I always carried bandaids in my 1st aid kit that we carried on our gear, an still will. It pays to have a boo boo kit we always said, as thats the more likely scenario on average, minus any engagements. Thx for the vid PA
That is a very well put together IFAK; definitely important to be prepared with a good kit in any situation, thanks for sharing your loadout and thank you for your service to our country! - Justin @ Vanquest
Great Video ! Had a basic First Aid Class in Basic Training in the late 60's... Learned to save the life of your Drill Sargent if he had a head wound you put a tourniquet between the wound and the heart... The only thing I would add is a Space Blanket to keep the patient warm. Must get one soon for my kit. tjl
Mine is basically the same with some small differences. The only thing I would say as far as, "Hey, have you considered?" are prelubricated NPAs. The design that stops it from going into your nose is better, and there is no chance of one of the KY packets leaking everywhere. Other than that, they work exactly the same and don't require additional training. I definitely understand from an agency or branch perspective the number of NPAs (and everything else) they already have. So, it would be more for your personal IFAK, and depending on your unit's SOPs, if you can make a minor change. I separated quite a while ago. So, I can just say, "I don't care. I do what I want." Btw, I hope the people gatekeeping shears because "You're not a medic" aren't medics themselves. I already know at least some of them are, though.
My 2 different ifaks for my plate carrier and my chest rig both have the same minimal stuff... compressed gauze, 2 bandage wraps, sheers, 2 TQs antiseptic, burn cream, plastic bags, duct tape, 5In x 5in bandages and antibiotics that's it and it's in both
I put a booboo kit with band aids in all packs and accessible pocket. Infection from a slice can kill over time just as a gunshot wound. As stated you wont throw that Israeli bandage on a small cut.
Any recommendations on good, comprehensive one/multi day classes and/or books for people that aren’t medics? As a point of reference I took a 16 hour Wilderness First Aid class last year and wanted to take a Stop the Bleed class but nothing in my area. I do a lot of backpacking but recently got into more tactical and would like to increase my trauma based medical knowledge.
Stop The Bleed is a great course. I would also recommend traveling for a TCCC-ASM course if you want the tac experience with it. What state are you in?
If you can find one semi-local, Refuge Medical has their Responder 1 thru 3 classes. I've taken level 1 and it was fantastic. Lots of hands-on training, some stress inoculation, great info. They don't come around my way often, which sucks, cause I'd take the whole trio now. Level 3 looks very intense.
As long as it's accessible and comfortable, I'd say placing it on any system will do. I emphasize "comfortable" because if it's in an annoying place, you may be tempted to remove it.
Not a long time subscriber but love your videos. Im wondering. You do not use pill box? Its basicly a small dose with painkillers and antibiotics you pop after you tend to your wounds. Like 3 pills 1 pill of each. And very small can fit literaly any IFAK.
In my opinion, probably not. Realistically, not many items have changed in the last 20 years, but what has massively changed is how we implement and use those items.
You should still add the old, but tried and true, GI triangle bandage. I know I am dating myself, and is now a back up, but its nice to be able to elevate an injury to the arm, and I have actually seen articles about 101 ways to use a triangle bandage. When I was active duty, we were taught how to use it as a bandage, how to tighten to use as a pressure bandage and how to quickly modify it as a tourniquet . If you got a second one, the second one was a pre-water filter before boiling. , You could wet it and place over your head or on your neck,. May sound silly, but the safety pins were gold to us.
Not for IFAK. As a medic, I carry them in my aid bag, but never recommend them for your IFAK. Put it in your GP pouch or your assault pack. They are a great versatile item though.
Not dating yourself at all, we use triangles daily on the rig. Definitely a useful item but as mentioned I probably wouldn’t put one in an IFAK. I’d keep it in a larger kit elsewhere, being it’s not necessarily an immediately life saving device
@@VinnytwotimeWell you do you but i still Carry 2 in my IFAK
@@alexandervinckenbos The purpose of the IFAK is to be used on you, the wearer. The wearer does not dictate what goes inside. That's the medic's job. It's a versatile tool but it's not better than a dedicated item. For example, it can be used as a pressure bandage, but a dedicated bandage such as the NAR ETA works better. Another example, is you can use the Cravat as an improvised TQ, but a NAR CAT works better and has empirical data to back up it's efficacy. So yeah, I'll do me. -a medic
We used it as a "Drive on" rag back in the day. 🥃🍻🪂🫡🇺🇸
Good on you for including water. I gave up trying have nice, organized, IFAK pouches on every piece of kit years ago...these days I stuff everything, including a TQ and some water purification tabs, into one of them gallon freezer bags, and that's what get's stuffed in my pouches, cargo pocket, ruck, etc. Easy to pull out, can toss the entire kit to someone else, if needed, and the bag itself is a water container. Cheap, multipurpose stuff rulez. Crap, I've become my grandpa.
Medic here. I use the Defense Mechanisms TQ cover to minimize environmental exposure
A good thing to carry along with a decompression needle is an indexing card such as the Sam Thorasite. Knowing how to use needle decompression on others it cool, but won't save you from dying if you are the injured one. And with such an indexing template it's easy for your buddies to save you, even if their last medical course was a decade ago. And it takes up literally no space at all.
Man you guys have come along way since the 70's when I was in, I love it. But I always carried bandaids in my 1st aid kit that we carried on our gear, an still will. It pays to have a boo boo kit we always said, as thats the more likely scenario on average, minus any engagements. Thx for the vid PA
That is a very well put together IFAK; definitely important to be prepared with a good kit in any situation, thanks for sharing your loadout and thank you for your service to our country! - Justin @ Vanquest
Keep up the great vids and thanks for your continued svc.
Great information!
Great overview of your kit layout! Thanks for sharing this with us! 👍👍🤝✌️🎯🫡
Thanks for the tips PA, as I'm building my chest rig with some extra support items in it
Great Video ! Had a basic First Aid Class in Basic Training in the late 60's... Learned to save the life of your Drill Sargent if he had a head wound you put a tourniquet between the wound and the heart... The only thing I would add is a Space Blanket to keep the patient warm. Must get one soon for my kit. tjl
Good information as always.
Mine is basically the same with some small differences. The only thing I would say as far as, "Hey, have you considered?" are prelubricated NPAs. The design that stops it from going into your nose is better, and there is no chance of one of the KY packets leaking everywhere. Other than that, they work exactly the same and don't require additional training.
I definitely understand from an agency or branch perspective the number of NPAs (and everything else) they already have. So, it would be more for your personal IFAK, and depending on your unit's SOPs, if you can make a minor change. I separated quite a while ago. So, I can just say, "I don't care. I do what I want."
Btw, I hope the people gatekeeping shears because "You're not a medic" aren't medics themselves. I already know at least some of them are, though.
Something I learned while taking my EMT course is you can take an occlusive dressing like chest seal and use it for neck wounds.
I have lost a great deal of blood pressure and my mind hurts since having been subjected to Tom's tourniquet talk.
My 2 different ifaks for my plate carrier and my chest rig both have the same minimal stuff... compressed gauze, 2 bandage wraps, sheers, 2 TQs antiseptic, burn cream, plastic bags, duct tape, 5In x 5in bandages and antibiotics that's it and it's in both
Very nice!
I put a booboo kit with band aids in all packs and accessible pocket. Infection from a slice can kill over time just as a gunshot wound. As stated you wont throw that Israeli bandage on a small cut.
Like to see you do every 3 months review on your Marathon watch...
Soon!
Any recommendations on good, comprehensive one/multi day classes and/or books for people that aren’t medics? As a point of reference I took a 16 hour Wilderness First Aid class last year and wanted to take a Stop the Bleed class but nothing in my area. I do a lot of backpacking but recently got into more tactical and would like to increase my trauma based medical knowledge.
Stop The Bleed is a great course. I would also recommend traveling for a TCCC-ASM course if you want the tac experience with it. What state are you in?
If you can find one semi-local, Refuge Medical has their Responder 1 thru 3 classes. I've taken level 1 and it was fantastic. Lots of hands-on training, some stress inoculation, great info. They don't come around my way often, which sucks, cause I'd take the whole trio now. Level 3 looks very intense.
thoughts on running an IFAK on belt and plate carrier.
As long as it's accessible and comfortable, I'd say placing it on any system will do.
I emphasize "comfortable" because if it's in an annoying place, you may be tempted to remove it.
Not a long time subscriber but love your videos. Im wondering. You do not use pill box? Its basicly a small dose with painkillers and antibiotics you pop after you tend to your wounds. Like 3 pills 1 pill of each. And very small can fit literaly any IFAK.
Yes, we have them. I ust didn't share them. Different names for them we use "combat pill pack"
Acetaminophen, Moxifloxacin and meloxican.
@@PreparedAirman i was just wondering since its also gd to have in get home gear or BOB.
I dont have them in my GHB or BOB but it's on my list to get.
Do you think ifak contents will drastically change in the next 5-10 years?
In my opinion, probably not. Realistically, not many items have changed in the last 20 years, but what has massively changed is how we implement and use those items.
PA have you used any ifak inserts or organizers?
I would like to get one. I just haven't researched them enough.
Can you please give a link to the IFAK pouch you are running on your carrier. Or the name of it?
It's a Ferro concepts mini dangler.
Thermal blanket?
Yeah, It would be nice if I could fit it, considering it specifies hypothermia in MARCH PAWS