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Medical Gear

Medical Response Training and Equipment for Protective Services

Medical Response Training and Equipment for Protective Services

As part of the big picture when providing protective services, the security, safety and reputation protection of the client are our main objectives. In this regard, the ability to provide medical response is a vital aspect as we will certainly be the ‘first responders’ at the point of wounding. Although this means we have already failed out main objective, ‘damage control’ and increasing the chances of survivability going forward are still your responsibility. In this article we’ll discuss appropriate training priorities, goals and equipment selection for providing point-of-wounding care in a realistic protective services scenario

Protective Medical Training Course

Perhaps the most critical aspect of medical response is factor of time – the faster aid is provided, the faster advanced medical response is initiated and the faster the patient is evacuated to urgent/traumatic care facilities the higher the chances of survivability. Specifically to massive hemorrhaging, your response must be initiated prior to irreversible blood loss occurs and this takes merely less than a minute, as little as 45 seconds.

Medical Response Training and Equipment for Protective Services

As you can see in the image above where Ambassador Lippert was slashed on the arm and face, there was no immediate medical kit available and only expedient methods were utilized. The patient survived, however the care would have been substantially more appropriate if any lf the first responders had an on-body medical kit. The simple fact of the matter is that protected individuals are under threat of intentional injuries and we are all under threat of unintentional injuries. With that being said, a minimal amount of training and preparedness goes a long way in medical response and there is no excuse not to be trained and certified at the basic level. Both intentional attacks and unintentional injuries can result in the need for first aid up to traumatic injuries, all of which you should be trained AND prepared to respond to.

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Training Goals

As always, training should either provide knowledge or certify for a task. For medical training, seek both as the knowledge is critical and protecting yourself as a first responder is also important.The minimum training and certification requirement is Adult and Pediatric CPR, First Aid and AED training from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or similar. With that being said, the minimum in this case is not a bad thing as you must understand that advanced medical training requires advanced equipment in which it will not be practical to have in 99.9% of cases. With this understanding, seem practical training for the most likely occurrences based on your task, threat and environment in relation to what equipment you can feasibly have available. For most applications, the most common traumatic injuries that result in preventable death can be categorized into exsanguination – massive hemorrhage from an extremity. This can be mitigated by a tourniquet, pressure bandage and/or hemostatic dressing. See the IPAK contents below for more info.

“In our line of work, a fair amount of medical training is important. If you work in a high threat environment TCCC or even Paramedic training would be in your best interest. If you work in a domestic setting with a client that is known to have their share of controversy, EMT training may still be an avenue you want to consider.

However, at a bare minimum you should be proficient with CPR, First aid and AED. As a professional protector, it is your job to know your client and by knowing your client, you should know ALL of their medical needs. But just because your client has not had any threats against them, there is no reason not to be prepared. Just having something as small as as the IPAK can save your client or even yourself in a unexpected situation. The ability to control bleeding more times than not will save the life of your principal or yourself before your gun will.

It is important to chose a medical training provider that has a practical application for what it is that you’re doing. As a state certified firefighter paramedic, I completely endorse the Lasorsa and Associates Protective Medical Training Course.” – Craig Butler, Darkmoon Protection, Inc.

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Equipment Selection

Every protector should strongly consider an on-body medical kit designed for the most time sensitive life threatening situations, and this is exactly why we have designed the Individual Protective Agent’s Kit – IPAK. In addition to that, a more substantial kit would ideally be ‘immediately available’ or close by in the vehicle or in a bag carried by a team member.

Medical Response Training and Equipment for Protective Services
Above: The Adventure Medical Kits ‘Comprehensive Kit’ with add-on trauma items, and an IPAK
Medical Response Training and Equipment for Protective Services
Above: The contents of the Adventure Medical Kit with add-on trauma kit and the IPAK

In Response 

“The following information is based on my twenty years as a NJ Certified EMT and fifteen years as an American Red Cross Emergency Medical Response Instructor. Additionally, this information is geared towards protection providers with a minimal to no experience or training in responding to medical emergencies in CONUS. Obviously should the need arise you should provide treatment to your level of certification and training.

The first thing any person needs to do when addressing a medical emergency is to stay calm and access the situation. Having some level of baseline knowledge regarding our principal’s medical history and conditions is always helpful. As that is not always the case as some details are short notice short duration jobs we may not have that luxury. If that is the case here are a few basic directions to go. If the patient is conscious, verbal, and in a clear but perhaps distressed state of mind start by obtaining a SAMPLE history.

S = Signs and Symptoms – what do you see, what can they or someone else tell you about their current condition
A = Allergies – do they have any they are aware of and do they take or have any medications related to them
M = Medications – do they take any medications, if so what for, and have they taken their medications today (be aware older clients in particular may have a long list of medications they are taking daily)
P – Past Illness – what is their past medical history; heart attack, stroke, asthma, diabetes, etc.
L = Last oral intake – when and what did they last eat or drink
E = Events leading up to the current condition – what was the patient doing just prior to what is happening now. Example: Were they playing tennis on a hot day and passed out.

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If the patient is unconscious you will have to do a physical, assessment unless there is someone present that can explain what happened, even then you are still going to have to do a physical assessment. If that is the case here is some basic standard guidance. Unless there is an obvious arterial bleed, penetrating injury to the chest, or traumatic amputation (arterial bleeding, penetrating chest injuries which allow air to flow into the chest cavity and traumatic amputation need to be treated immediately) the basics are as follows, remember the mnemonic MARCH:

M – Massive Hemorrhage
A – Airway
R – Respiration
C – Circulation
H – Hypothermia Prevention

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And of course, you have your ABC’s:

A – Airway – does the patient have a stable airway allowing oxygen to freely exchange
B – Breathing – is the patient breathing on their own at a rate that will sustain life (no less than six breaths per minute and no more than thirty breaths per minute for adults).
C – Circulation – is blood adequately circulating within the body. This can be checked by accessing the carotid, radial, and pedal pulses. (For small children and infants check the biracial pulse)

–

Treat the conditions you find and summon emergency medical help if the situation warrants in accordance with your SOP’s.

The amount and type of equipment you carry and utilize will depend on your training (I strongly recommend that anyone doing protective work minimally be CPR/ AED and basic first aid certified). Also the attire for your detail will influence what equipment you may be able to carry. Again I’m addressing details within CONUS. Most of the situations we deal with are usually not emergencies but headaches, stomachache, minor cuts and low impact trip and falls. Dehydration is a constant concern for both principals and members of the protective team. If you are the Detail Leader/ AIC, or team medic ensure that everyone is hydrating and getting some chow every few hours. One word on moving and injured person after a fall, vehicular crash, or other traumatic injury I recommend not moving them unless it is absolutely necessary due to safety concerns. Make them comfortable in place until EMS arrives and moves them for transport to a hospital. When limited to what I can carry on my person on a detail and keeping the appearance low profile my medical load out is as follows:

A small flat belt pouch or ankle pouch containing travel packets of Tylenol, Motrin, Imodium, Benadryl, alcohol wipes, a couple band aids, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer (I like the small ones that companies give out at trade shows. They are very small about .5 Oz. they are easy to carry and you can just refill them. Again whenever I can I like to know what the principal likes and can take, if not I’ll usually have a small assortment with one or two packets of each. You can be a hero if your principal has a headache or upset stomach and you can help him/her out without detouring to the nearest CVS, ADDED VALUE. Additionally I carry a small folding CPR pocket mask on my person, I prefer a hard shell but sometimes it is just too large for convince. My next line of medical equipment is my mini on my person trauma kit. This is kit is to bridge the gap kit until I can access a more comprehensive kit. I carry the following in a black ITS Tactical Slimline pouch: SWAT-T tourniquet, package of Quikclot sponge, pair of protective gloves, small roll of duct tape, and I tuck my Benchmade rescue hook in too (great for cutting seat-belts and clothing to expose injuries).

That is my basic on my person medical load out. If I’m working and have access to a vehicle or able to carry a backpack with me a more complete medical/trauma kit goes in there. The more space you have and the higher level of training you have the more options you have.” – Art Dorst, Consulting & Training Services

Equipment Sources: GORUCK, 5.11, CSM Gear, Condor, Blue Force Gear, Endom USA, Tactical Tailor

–

UPDATE 9-8-16

I was sitting at home last night watching John Wick again and I was thinking about the recent write up from AS Solutions authored by Eric Stewart. I’ve been an EMT for over twenty years and an American Red Cross Instructor for fifteen. Over the course of my professional medical provider career the organization I worked for provided my equipment. Since I’ve ventured out on my own that is no longer the case. Although I have not been designated as a team EMS provider my usual EMS Loadout is an IPAK and CPR face shield. After reading the article I thought to myself what if I got a call and was asked can you be at this location in four hours (not unusual for the companies I work for) and be the team emergency medical provider (Currently I work under the certification as an Emergency Medical Responder as opposed to my EMT certification for insurance and liability reasons). I realized that although I have a good bit of supplies it’s not organized nor did I have an effective and low profile means to carry it. I considered purchasing one of the STOMP packs mentioned in the article but that just isn’t doable right now (it is however on the to-buy list).

So I looked around my place and gathered up some assorted items that I felt could work. I started with a 5.11 molle panel and attached pouches to house my supplies. I used my CSM Gear EMT shear & Purell pouch, GORUCK utility pouch for my hard-shell CPR mask, a Condor EMS pouch for my Stethoscope, BP cuff, airways (oral/nasal), triangular bandages, roller gauze, and tape. On the flip side is a Blue Force Gear Trauma pouch with chest seals, Quikclot, Israeli bandages, and Tourniquets. Also on the back is a Blue Force Gear Boo Boo pouch containing Tylenol, Imodium, a chapstick, band aids, and other quick to grab items. There is an Endom Glove pouch and finally a Tactical tailor utility pouch with basic first aid items. This panel nests very nicely in my GORUCK GR1, I like this pack because it opens clam shell style allowing me quick access to the panel and other items I may need in an emergency. Yeah everything doesn’t match and there are a few items I’d like to pick up to increase my capabilities but all in all I’m pretty happy with it and feel I can rollout on short notice comfortable with my equipment. It doesn’t require a ton of money most of us have gear laying around innovate. We are at war, adapt. – Art Dorst, Consulting & Training Services


Courtesy of Lasorsa and Associates

Adventure Medical Kits | Trauma Pak Pro

Adventure Medical Kits | Trauma Pak Pro

With the current global war on terror, and most recently, the tragic mass shooting in Orlando, more civilians are carrying a firearm for protection than ever before. As a concealed carry citizen, you’re goal is to protect your family, yourself, or others in harms way, right? A lot of folks think that their pistol, a couple of magazines and firearms training will more than likely increase their survivability in a violent situation. This is somewhat true. But when the dust settles after a violent engagement, you look down and realize you’ve been hit in the leg. Or your wife is bleeding from a gunshot wound to the arm. Or, in the confusion of the situation, you overshot your target and hit an innocent bystander before neutralizing the threat. What will your pistol do now? Nothing. This is why everyone that carries a firearm should also carry a medical kit like the Trauma Pak Pro from Adventure Medical Kits.

Josh from Precision Rifle Supply was kind enough to send us a Trauma Pak Pro to share with our readers, one of the most compact essential medical kits on the market. The Trauma Pak Pro is a very compact kit measuring 5″x3.5″x2″ easily fitting into a cargo pocket, glove compartment or added to an existing medical kit. The Trauma Pak Pro even has belt loops for securing it to yourself or equipment. Tear open the velcro flap and you’ll find these 7 essential items:

Adventure Medical Kits | Trauma Pak Pro
Contents of Trauma Pak Pro

  • Instructions
  • Nitrile Gloves (pair)
  • Antiseptic Towelette
  • QuickClot Advanced Clotting Sponge
  • 5″x9″ Sterile Pad
  • SWAT-T Tourniquet
  • Duct Tape
  • Purchase one here for $49.99

A basic understanding of first aid is essential for assessing a trauma but the instruction manual included in the Trauma Pak Pro covers a lot of the common situations. Take the time to read over the instructions before you’re actually in a traumatic event. The SWAT-T is an innovative tourniquet that requires little to no training to apply. Using the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method, the SWAT-T is a 4″ wide piece of latex free rubber that can easily be applied by simply Stretching the rubber, Wrapping the extremity And finally Tucking the remaining material. Take a few minutes to watch the instructional video below, provided by SWAT-T, illustrating the various uses of their simple tourniquet.

Another critical item in the Trauma Pak Pro is the QuickClot Advanced Clotting Sponge. This allows the user to rapidly apply a lifesaving measure to control bleeding. The QuickClot Sponge is simplicity at it’s finest. Just open the pack and apply the sponge to the wound and secure it with a wrap. The SWAT-T is also versatile and can be used as a pressure dressing by not stretching it as you would when using it as a tourniquet. QuickClot contains Zeolite beads in a non adherent 3.5″x3.5″ mesh pack allowing an easy and clean application and removal process. Below is a quick demonstration of how QuickClot works.

Bottom line: If you’re willing to cary a firearm with the intention of using it as protection, you also have a responsibility to carry a medical kit capable of treating the damage you may inflict. The Trauma Pak Pro includes the essential medical items required to quickly and effectively treat a gun shot wound or other traumatic injury. I now carry the Trauma Pak Pro with me whenever I have my pistol and am implementing them into my vehicles as well as my camping medical kit. While you’re strapping on your pistol, sliding a knife into your pocket along with your other EDC items, consider adding the Trauma Pak Pro to your Every Day Carry and prepare to save a life…possibly your own.


Wild Hedgehog Get Home Alive Medical Kit featured

Wild Hedgehog Get Home Alive Medical Kit

It’s quite amazing the number of individuals who travel in the backcountry and don’t carry a medical kit. People are too interested in traveling light, saving space, or have the dreaded “what are the chances of that” mentality. People will spend hundreds and thousand of dollars on gear for backpacking, hunting, skiing, or mountain biking, but neglect the tools to keep them or their companions alive in those worst-case scenarios.

Many times, it comes down to a lack of knowledge and medicine is intimidating for some. Not everyone is a medical professional or has the proper training, but with simple tools and basic knowledge, you could save a life or prevent further injury. Your biggest injury threat in the backcountry is trauma. Wild Hedgehog has created a simple medical kit stocked with the basic and necessary items to stop a bleed, splint a fracture, or clean a wound. Building a medical kit can be costly and not everyone knows exactly what they need. The Get Home Alive Medical Kit does that for you and contains the following items:

  • 4” Israeli Bandage
  • 1 Pair Nitrile Gloves
  • SWAT-T Tourniquet
  • 2x H&H Gauze
  • Aluminum Splint
  • CPR Face Shield
  • Assorted Band-Aids
  • 4x Gauze Pads
  • Aspirin
  • Tylenol Extra Strength
  • 4x  Iodine Wipes
  • 2x Alcohol Wipes
  • Medical Tape
  • 2x Tampons
  • 4x Anti-septic Gel Packs
  • 2x Burn Gel Packs
  • Steri-Strips
  • 4x Hand sanitizer wipes
  • Self Adherent Wrap
  • 2x Ammonia Inhalants

Wild Hedgehog Get Home Alive Medical Kit open

I have spent hundreds of days traveling in the backcountry and not once have I had to place a tourniquet or splint on myself or companion. Working as a Paramedic has taught me the value of never saying “never.” The time you need these items are high-risk/low-frequency events. Having the right tools and knowledge can save yourself or a loved one. Although I’ve never had to implement these items or skills in the backcountry, I always carry a kit like the Wild Hedgehog Get Home Alive Medical Kit.

Most pre-stocked medical kits are made of flimsy materials and come packed so tight that when you finally open it, the contents go everywhere. Upon receiving the Get Home Alive Medical Kit, I immediately noticed there was ample room to find all the items and supplement the kit with additional items if necessary.

Wild Hedgehog Get Home Alive Medical Kit open side

The Get Home Alive Medical Kit is made from 1000D Nylon Teflon and is MOLLE or PALS compatible. With the additional items, the kit still only weighs 1.5 lbs. Although this may sound extremely heavy for those ultralight junkies out there, how much weight is your life worth?  Measuring: H:5″ W:7″ D:4″, the kit easily fits into the top lid of my pack for easy access. The outside zippered compartment is perfect for small items such as drugs, tweezers, an emergency whistle, and a back-up emergency compass.

If you are looking to build your own kit or want a high-quality pre-stocked medical kit, I highly recommend looking into the Wild Hedgehog Get Home Alive Medical Kit. This kit would be a great addition to any soldiers ruck or backcountry enthusiasts loadout. More importantly, get out there and learn how to use these items and practice a lot. Medical skills are perishable and you need to be on your game if the time arises. I highly recommend attending a wilderness first responder course at a local university or at least watch some online tutorials on how to apply the items in your medical kit.

If you happen to use your Wild Hedgehog Get Home Alive Medical Kit during a low-frequency/high-risk survival scenario, they will refill the contents of your kit for free.

You can purchase the Wild Hedgehog Get Home Alive Medical Kit here.

Feel free to comment or ask about what additional items I like to carry in my backcountry medical kit. Stay safe and get home alive.

The Modern IFAK - Blue Force Gear TKN Pouch

The Modern IFAK – Blue Force Gear TKN Pouch

The modern IFAK is a must have for police and military members. However, there are dozens of civilian applications for the platform as well. Anyone who likes adventuring, from rock climbing to hunting, an IFAK can be handy. Let’s not forget the average, everyday citizen who simply likes being prepared. Having an IFAK is the perfect kit to address a violent situation, a car accident, or nearly any of those situations that seemingly come out of nowhere. The IFAK of old was a big pouch that you stacked medical gear in. It worked, but was far from perfect, as I covered in our first look of the Blue Force Gear TKN pouch. This model is a little different, for the specs check out our first look here.


The Modern IFAk

The TKN is an ingenious design, that is superbly simple to use. Through a variety of simulated medical situations, we found the kit to be outstanding. The internal carriage holds a wide variety of gear, and can easily be customized to the user’s needs. Once pulled from the pouch the carriage acts as like an open table. You have immediate access to everything you need at the same time.

The Modern IFAK - Blue Force Gear TKN Pouch

This cuts time significant time from having to dig through an IFAK to find just the right gear. It also prevents you from losing gear trying to find that one particular piece. This is incredibly handy in low light situations. The elastic straps hold the gear nice and tight. I packed this bad boy over a month ago and left it packed. The straps haven’t lost their taught nature at all. It’s the most rapid system available that allows full access to the kit’s content.

Tourniquet blues

Now this is a double edged sword. One one side the gear stays put in a hectic and panicked situation. If you drop it, kick it, throw it, or whatever the gear is staying put. The downside is through some simulated wounded hand/arm drills I found certain pieces of gear difficult to remove. The gear that was difficult was the gear that took two bands to hold, which was tourniquets. The solution was to simply use one band to hold the tourniquet. It still feels quite secure.

The Modern IFAK - Blue Force Gear TKN Pouch
Full IFAK and Extra AR Mag

Carriage

One thing I really love is the fact regardless of having a hurt hand I can always use the other to remove the carriage and start patching myself up. Since the pouch itself can be left in place I simply pull the carriage out with my okay arm and I have immediate access to my entire kit. I used to carry my IFAK on a MOLLE belt purely for this reason. I’d take the belt off and put it where necessary.

Secondly, if the Blue Force Gear TKN pouch was on one of my guys I could easily access its contents. Meaning regardless of where the individual places it on his or her body, and regardless of where they are injured I only need to access their kit once. This mean I do not have to constantly rotate the wounded person to obtain their medical gear if they place in an inconvenient location. The less I have to move a wounded person the better.

 

The Modern IFAK - Blue Force Gear TKN Pouch
TKN IFAK in action

The system is superbly fast to get into action. Equipped on both a belt, and my Spec Ops Go Panel, I had no issues accessing it. This was due to massive front tap. It’s simple to grip and rip with wet hands, or when wearing gloves, or with one hand. I could bring the kit into action in an instant. When seconds and minutes are the difference between life and death, then speed matters.

The Modern IFAK - Blue Force Gear TKN Pouch
Rapid and easy to draw

Build Quality

The materials used by Blue Force Gear is lightweight and extremely strong. I’ve found through excessive sweating while using the kit that moisture merely streak off it. The insides stay dry as long as the kit isn’t submerged. The stitching is top notch and done professionally. It’s very discrete, but extremely tight and very well done. The elastic bands are just as tight today as they were on day one. It’s certainly well built and made to professional standards.

The Modern IFAK - Blue Force Gear TKN Pouch

Patched Up

Overall the concept of the IFAK hasn’t changed. It’s still there to treat a wounded individual. The Blue Force Gear TKN simply changed the delivery system. This is an excellent system that allows the user to customize their IFAK at a whim. Because the IFAK has a near universal use the contents of one are rarely the same as another. The hiker and explorer have different needs than the soldier or cop. The TKN allows the user to instantly customize their IFAK into almost anything. There are more elastic straps than you’ll ever need and enough room to fit the widest variety of gear. The Blue Force Gear TKN is a well thought out, well-built piece of gear. It’s unique but simple, and far from a gimmick. It could certainly set the standard for the future IFAK.

Watch: Tourniquet | How To Use Them

Watch: Tourniquet | How To Use Them

In a recent article I wrote about the 4 must have items in a medical kit. One of those items was the tourniquet. I’ve always had a tourniquet in my medical kits, but until I had some formal training I really understood the application of them. The medical training I recently had was part of a two day pistol course with Kyle Defoor. Not only did he discuss the importance of tourniquets, but he also demonstrated how to properly ‘pre-load’ the CAT tourniquet, where to apply it, and how to apply it. He also discussed the importance of being able to improvise a tourniquet and stop gaps you can implement to reduce bleeding until you get the tourniquet on.

What do I mean about a stop gap? A stop gap that Kyle showed us was to put your knee as high up on the leg in the pelvic area and put your weight into it. That will either slow or stop the bleeding long enough for you to cut the pant leg with your trauma shears (if they are wearing pants) and apply a tourniquet.

Kyle has a-lot of respect for 18 Delta’s (Army SF Medics) and Air Force PJ’s because of their medical expertise. He also recommended Dark Angel Medical for quality medical kits and training. Kerry from Dark Angel Medical is a former Flight Medic himself and has a vast amount of medical expertise and experience to learn from. Take a look at the following two videos as Kerry explains and demonstrates the proper use of a tourniquet.

(featured image courtesy of afcent.af.mil)

Vanquest FATPack 4X6 First Aid Trauma Pack | First Impressions

Vanquest FATPack 4X6 (Gen-2) First Aid Trauma Pack

As time goes on and your skills and training evolve, so will your gear. Spending your hard-earned cash on training should always take priority over spending it on the latest piece of gear on the market, especially when it comes to medical. I’d even go as far to say medical training should come before firearms training (I’m sure I’ll catch some flak for that statement). Take a moment though and think about that. Chances are much higher that you will need to use medical skills before having to draw your weapon on somebody. I’m not just talking about active shooter situations either. You never know when you may witness a car accident and have to render aid until paramedics arrive on scene. What if you’re out on a hike and somebody falls and gets injured. If anything at the very least get Red Cross certified on CPR and First Aid. I digress….

I always have a medical kit within arms reach. I have one in my car, I have one in my everyday bag and I carry a tourniquet in my back pocket. It’s all about layering so you’re prepared no matter what. The kit I’ve been carrying in my bag is a bit on the larger side, but not too bad considering I only carry the essentials. However, I’m thinking of changing the style bag I use on a daily basis, which has a ripple effect on some of the other gear I carry, namely the trauma kit. I want to scale down the size of my trauma kit without compromising on the essentials that I carry inside of it.

I recently acquired a Vanquest FATPack (First Aid Trauma Pack) 4X6 (Gen-2). At first glance I was a little sceptical about the size, but once I opened the pouch up the wheels started turning in my head.

The outside of the FATPack has loops on either side to accomodate a tourniquet. If you wanted you could also use the loops on the centerline to attack a third touriquet. Having the option to attach three tourniquets to the outside is pretty freakin outstanding.

Vanquest FATPack 4X6 First Aid Trauma Pack | First Impressions
CAT Tourniquet mounted to the side.

There is a pull handle on the outside (marked with red velcro) that when pulled down, exposes the contents of the interior of the pouch.

Vanquest FATPack 4X6 First Aid Trauma Pack | First Impressions
Pull tab marked with red.

Once the pouch is open, it lays out flat giving you quick and easy access to all the contents (similar to a clam shell opening backpack).

Inside the main section the pockets are made from a high vis orange color allowing you to identify contents quicker and easier.

Vanquest FATPack 4X6 First Aid Trauma Pack | First Impressions
Interior Layout

The center two slip pockets can be used for a variety of medical supplies such as SWAT-T tourniquets, Quik Clot gauze, chest seals or small first aid/boo boo kit. On either side of the center slip pockets you have small more narrow slip pockets. Again you’re only limited by your imagination here depending on how you want to run your kit.

Vanquest FATPack 4X6 First Aid Trauma Pack | First Impressions
Interior slip pockets

Sewn into the outside of the slip pockets are elastic loops for securing other items. Not sure what I’m going to use those for yet.

The bottom portion of the pouch is the inside of the lid you pulled open. The inside of this is lined with shock cord, giving you the ability to secure another tourniquet, pressure dressing, compressed gauze or possibly chem lights.

Vanquest FATPack 4X6 First Aid Trauma Pack | First Impressions
Shock cord for additional attachment of medical items

Available direct from Vanquest for only $29.99. For that price you really can’t go wrong from what I’ve seen so far.

Features/Specifications/Materials (courtesy of Vanquest)

● Net Weight: 4.2 oz | 119 grams
● Size: 6″ (H) x 4.5″ (W) x 3″ (D)
● Four internal storage pockets with three elastic webbing slots
● User-configurable storage ladder with shock cord retention
● Grab handle instantly opens FATPack with one downward pull, giving full access.
● 2” (H) x 3” (W) ID/Blood type loop patch panel on front
● MOLLE/PALS webbing on sides and rear for modular attachment
● Compatible with MOLLE Sticks and MOHL Adapter Panel for loop panel attachment
Materials:
● 1,000-D Military grade Cordura® fabric with water-repellent Teflon® fabric protector by DuPont®
● Hi-visibility, lightweight & water-resistant 210-D Ripstop nylon interior.
● Durable RC-Class YKK® #8 zippers, reversed for protection.
● Circular user-friendly zipper paracord loops
● High tensile strength nylon webbings and binding tapes
● Finished with high tensile strength bonded nylon thread


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