After an in-depth run through of the Dark Angel Medical Gen 3 Trauma Kit, I have concluded that any kind of medical trauma kit is a must-have for anyone serious about tactical training. We are going beyond a basic first aid kit here, where band-aids and blister pads and are not enough to stop the bleeding. As we all know or have seen, there are some pretty serious injuries someone can sustain while working in the tactical industry. Anything from an accident at the gun range from someone not paying attention, to tactical driving mishaps and everything in between. A good solid medical trauma kit is a must have to keep on you at all times or in a vehicle for when you need it most. That’s where Dark Angel Medical comes into the picture. With over 50 years of medical experience and 30 years of Active Duty Military experience, Dark Angel Medical puts every effort into designing a safe and easy to use trauma kit that will be there when you need it the most.
The D.A.R.K. (Direct Action Response Kit) Gen 3 trauma Kit is a small package that contains everything you will need to save a life. The D.A.R.K. was designed with simplicity under stress kept in mind. It comes complete with a Gen 3 Molle pouch that has a shear retention strap on either side to hold a set of medical trauma shears, a Gen 7 CAT (Tourniquet) and the following:
Vacuum-sealed components to include:
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1 pair Nitrile gloves, size L,
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1 pair HALO Seals,
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1x Nasal Airway,
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1x 4” Israeli Bandage,
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1x QuikCLot Combat Gauze LE or ChitoGauze XR Pro(MIL-SPEC Kits contain QuikClot Combat Gauze MIL)
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1x Compressed Gauze
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1x Mylar Blanket
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Polycarbonate Eyeshield (current USMC issue eye shield and is recommended by the Committee on Tactical Casualty Combat Care)
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1 x Ten Tac Med Tips Assessment Card
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1x TCCC Casualty Documentation Tool
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1x 14 Gauge ARS Decompression Needle
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QuikClot Combat Gauze MIL
The biggest issue of having a piece of gear like this is taking in consideration of whether or not you can get to it and use it in time. The Gen 3 trauma kit has a “quick release” pull tab under the top flap for quick access. When the time comes to use the kit, just pull the tab and out pops the sealed medical items there for you. No more digging through the kit looking for an Israeli bandage or Quikclot, all the contents are easily available and easy to use. This makes a big difference, even when in a stressful situation. The Mil-Spec Gen 3 trauma kit stayed on my belt while using it at the gun range, held on by the webbed molle straps that secure the kit to any piece of gear. One of the concerns I thought I would have, was whether or not the trauma shears would get in the way when sitting or leaning up next to something. They are held on to the kit by retention straps on both sides of the kit and do not protrude in any way. So no issue there. Everything fits nice and snug in a small package.
Last but not least, but another important factor in a company is their level of customer service. I just want to say that Dark Angel Medical has outstanding customer service when it comes to satisfying their customers. There was a slight “snafu” on my first order and I was sent the wrong product from Dark Angel Medical. After a brief phone call and quick reaction on their part, I was expedited the black Gen 3 trauma kit that I originally ordered. I know that no one is perfect and things happen, but I just want to say that Dark Angel Medical went above and beyond to deliver an outstanding product in time for my review deadline. Thanks again to the wonderful team at Dark Angel Medical, keep up the great work!
Author – Chandler Brookins is a former US Navy Veteran with multiple deployments to SE Asia and The Middle East, while attached to many Tier 1 Special Operation Groups. Chandler has also served as a Dallas Police Officer for 3 years, before focusing his efforts on civilian SERE training and security assessments.
