What is inside an individual first aid kit (IFAK contents)?

1. M – Massive hemorrhage

Bleeding was one of the most common deaths on the battlefield; in general, you want to keep as much blood in your body as possible.

The tourniquet is the most important piece of life-saving equipment for penetrating trauma to an extremity, and probably the best investment in emergency medical equipment for any trauma kit. It is highly recommended that you become familiar with the tourniquet and practice using it on others and yourself before you need it.

Gauze for wound dressing: Effective wound dressing involves forcing gauze into the wound cavity and maintaining direct pressure until bleeding stops. You can use any sterile gauze or hemostatic gauze (gauze that helps with clotting) for this purpose.

Pressure Dressings and Bandages/ISRAELI EMERGENCY BANDAGE , is wrapped around the wound and applies pressure to it to help further restrict blood flow from a penetrating wound by holding the gauze in place and adding more compression. An example of a pressure bandage is an Israeli emergency bandage, which has an elastic bandage with a built-in pad and clip.

2. A – Airway

It is important to assess airway patency in the trauma patient. Unconscious patients may require airway intervention.

NPA (nasopharyngeal airway), a flexible tube that is inserted through the nose into the pharynx (the back of the throat), easy to store and carry in an IFAK. It can help keep the airway open in semi-conscious patients who have intact gag reflexes. When choosing it, check the corresponding thickness and length to make sure it is suitable for you. If it contains lubricant, it will make the operation process more comfortable.

Cric-key is an innovative open cricothyrotomy operation that allows for quick, easy and effective establishment of an artificial airway in an emergency. It can perform a cricothyrotomy and establish a stable artificial airway within 30 seconds. It consists of two parts, Cric-Key and Cric-Knife, which can only be operated by qualified personnel.

3. R ​​​​– Breathing

Suction wounds to the chest are another common and preventable cause of death. They are usually caused by gunshot wounds, stab wounds, or other penetrating trauma, but you can help prevent damage and save a life by preparing the appropriate supplies.

Chest Seal - It's smart to carry this in any IFAK. If you get shot in the torso, then a chest seal is one of the primary ways to treat that wound, to keep air out and hopefully let air out. If you don't have a chest seal, you can improvise one out of plastic wrap or other occlusive material.

Decompression needle - A decompression needle is used to relieve pressure from a tension pneumothorax by inserting it into the second intercostal space (the space between the second and third ribs) on the same side as the injury. This allows air to escape from the pleural cavity and restores normal breathing. However, do not use it unless you are trained and authorized.

4.C – Circulation

Double-check your Care Under Fire (CUF) interventions, where your primary concern was stopping any potentially life-threatening external bleeding, and make sure they are still holding (like TQ).

Gloves, if your clean hand sweep yields blood on your fingers or palms, then you should identify the wound site, expose it, assess it, and take appropriate action.

SplintingAt this stage, if you discover broken bones, then they should be stabilized with a splint.

5. H – Hypothermia

In penetrating trauma, what cannot be seen is the lethal triad of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy. The traumatic triad of death is recognized as a major cause of death in patients with traumatic injuries.

Emergency blankets - Hypothermia or hyperthermia can kill you within several hours. You can use an emergency blanket to protect yourself from the sun, the cold, or build a makeshift shelter.

6. Other things

Spray with antiseptic, another way to control germs and infections, it is small and easily stored if needed.

Sharpie – A black Sharpie is perfect for writing the time a tourniquet was applied as well as vital information about the patient.

Light source, can quickly assess a wound if needed. It's hard to treat what you can't see!

MOLLE compatible, a removable pouch that you can modify to meet the needs of your tactical setup.

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list. Depending on your situation, you may be able to modify your kit, such as painkillers.

Rookie mistakes to avoid:

Wrong equipment for the occasion.You need the right equipment for the right situation. You need to choose an IFAK that suits your needs and preferences based on factors such as size, weight, contents, durability, and compatibility with other equipment.

IFAK is in disarray.You don't want the gauze falling out all over the place when you open it. You should organize your items in a logical order based on priority and frequency of use and label each item clearly so you know what it is and how to use it.

Keep the IFAK out of reach.You should be able to reach your IFAK with both hands. If you must carry it with a backpack, try to hold it on the outside. Alternatively, you can wear it on your belt, vest, or chest rig, where it will be close to your body and easy to remove if necessary.

It is not labeled.This is especially important for tactical environments where there may be multiple people with different types of kits or where someone else may need to use yours in an emergency. You should label your IFAK clearly so others can quickly identify it and avoid confusion.

Final Words on Individual First Aid Kits

IFAK has become affordable, easy to find, and comes from a variety of reputable manufacturers. You should know that you have a responsibility to ensure your safety. Also, take some time to assess your medical needs, enroll in a local first aid class to gain practical experience, and take advantage of the opportunity to live when faced with an emergency.