Recently I’ve been reevaluating my medical needs and carry methods. I’ve been traveling more frequently for business both by plane and rail so weight and bulk are a concern. My usual travel companion is my GORUCK GR1 pack with the stuff I need to work with while being mobile. As an EMT for over twenty years I like to have a medical kit with me whenever possible. Especially in light of what has been happening in the world recently. It is important to have the basic lifesaving items on hand and available to use should a violent incident occur. I’ve tried several different carry methods and recently went into the box of gear we all have and pulled out a HSGI Bleeder-Blowout Pouch, medical needs pouch that I had gotten in trade a while back. These are the basics of the pouch from the website:
- Dimension: 3″H x 3″W x 7″L
- Main pouch utilizes 2″ wide QUICK-PULL interior strap to aid in one-handed removal of pouch contents
- Designed to hold medical gear and grant immediate access to medical shears
- Medical shears are held securely by strap and snap in separate open compartment
- A silencing strip is sewn in for the hook and loop to provide silent operation of the flap
What I like about this pouch is its low profile and ability to carry the basics to respond to an incident where someone is bleeding and in need of immediate treatment. On mine you can see the EMT shears are readily accessible, the flap as stated above can be secured with or without utilizing the Velcro (this can be a plus in an active shooter situation if you have found a secure hiding spot but are wounded and do not want the added noise of the Velcro. Yes I know there are many thoughts on whether this matters or not but it is an option with this piece of kit should you care to utilize it in this manner. In my kit I have an Israeli bandage, SWAT T tourniquet, a small packet of Quikclot, duct tape, and gloves. I may add one or two small items such as a nasal airway, and a CAT. I can handle a fair amount of medical issues with these items.
I like that it presents a small profile on the side of my pack and doesn’t weight a ton. I also keep a few more items inside my pack but like the fact that these are right at hand should they be needed. I’ll probably pick up a black one for my pack so that it doesn’t stand out like the one in the photos but other than that the search for the best carry method for my medical gear is temporarily on hold thanks to HSGI. The pouch is available on Amazon is several different colors and camo patterns for about $40.00.
Author – Art Dorst served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves and eventually retired as an NCO from The Army National Guard. He is also a retired municipal Police Officer, a Certified EMT, NRA Instructor, and is currently a security provider/trainer.
