If you are getting into a hobby like shooting, hunting or even a profession in law enforcement or military, you may have seen the acronym “IFAK”. What does it mean?
IFAK stands for an Individual First Aid Kit but these days the better ones are actually more like a trauma kit. This makes them stand out from your standard first aid kit as they are a bit more beefy in the aid they can provide.
The most important point of an IFAK is that it is compact and easy to carry, which is why so many law enforcement and military members carry them. At the same time they must contain medical supplies to sustain trauma that is expected but treatable in the field. While expected trauma may mean different things to different people, and thus the IFAK might have different items. With that said, the most standard piece of an IFAK has to be a tourniquet and I would strongly recommend your IFAK include one.
Other items that should be included:
- Gloves
- Shears
- CPR face shield
- Petroleum jelly
- 14 gauge catheter
- Medical tape
- Z-fold gauze
- Quickclot
- Betadine/iodine swabs
- Emergency blankets
Again, that is not a complete list and as such you should sit down and figure out what you will need to expect from your IFAK. We cover the items that you need in your IFAK for your backpack and car here ( https://casualoperator.com/2021/03/07/what-you-need-for-your-ifak-that-is-in-your-backpack-or-car/ ).
Smooth