IFAK: Buy vs Build Follow-Up

Last month I made a post asking about the pros and cons of buying a pre-made IFAK or building your own. Other than cost, the most recommended thing was training. I wanted to follow up with where I am now with my IFAK.

I decided to build my own, mostly because I wanted to have more control over what goes in the bag. I used YouTube as a training resource, and also attended an in-person Stop the Bleed Class run by a trauma nurse.

Some videos that I referenced frequently:

Tacticool Girlfriend IFAK video

PrepMedic's whole channel

Three hour video from CarryTrainer

This short video from CoTCCC on wound packing

The in-person Stop the Bleed class was interesting because it contradicted the info presented in other resources. At the Stop the Bleed class they tought

• Wound packing is preferred to tourniquet, even on limbs.
• Wound packing on torso/abdomen is OK.

So what goes in the bag? My philosphy is that only things I would feel comfortable using should go in.

• Gloves
• SOF tourniquet (plus blue trainer)
• Shears
• Vented chest seals two pack
• Civilian version QuickClot
• Normal z-fold gauze.
• 4" trauma dressing
• 6" trauma dressing
• Adaptic non-adhering dressing
• 4x4 gauze pads
• Peha-haft
• Emergency blanket