• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • m243The M24: America’s Headhunter
        • skorpFull-Auto Fun — Shooting the full-Auto vz. 61 Škorpion
        • p320-full-leftSIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can’t Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
        • TISAS_10100520_1__98179Tisas 1911A1 U.S. Army Review: Best Budget .45 ACP WW2 1911 Clone?
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • Hunting in TexasThese 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
        • Bluetti 2 handsfree power backpackBluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
        • The Gallagator 10 day pack on the shoreline next to a hiking trail.Day Pack – Mystery Ranch Gallagator 10 – The Best Yet?
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Tom and Blake Sell TeaHow Sasquatch Tea Is Revitalizing a Stagnant Tea Market With Veterans and Outdoorsmen in Mind
        • redcat-blackwidow-articleheaderWar of Words: In the Ultra-Competitive Defense Tech Industry, Storytelling is a Secret Weapon
        • Photoroom_20250525_074933Juggernaut Tactical Frame Review: The Best Upgrade for Your 365
        • craft holstersCraft Holsters Makarov Tuckable IWB Holster Report
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise

A Simple Inexpensive Trauma Kit for Everyday Carry

When I first started to carry a firearm, the last thing on my mind was a medical plan in case I got shot, or to treat someone who had been shot. In the world we live in today, there is no telling when or where you might run into a life-or-death situation that will require medical treatment while paramedics are on the way. I looked up medical kits, and medical training online, and I found a medical training class to take (in the near future). Then I started to look up medical kits that would include supplies for gunshot wounds. After a good hour of searching I found many YouTube videos about “blow-out kits” or “trauma kits” which are commonly used in combat for gunshot wounds. A blow-out kit is small, with just enough items to treat a gunshot wound to the arms or legs, but trauma kits can be equipped all the way up to treating a sucking chest wound. NOTE: Before using a medical kit in a trauma situation, be sure to pursue proper training on how to use these items. The Arms Guide is not a source of medical instruction.

Trauma Kit Contents 

In the trauma kit that was given to me by my very close friend after he returned home from overseas, I found a number of items that are simple but do a great job at giving basic first aid. I recommend people have at least the following equipment in their trauma kit. These components can cost between $40 and $80.

1. Combat gauze—used to pack (stick into wound cavity) a gunshot or similar wound, preferably some that has a blood clotting agent to help stop bleeding. This may not be included in some standard kits.

2. H & H gauze—used as backup to combat gauze for large wound cavities.

3. A roll of cloth tape

4. Israeli Bandage—like an ACE bandage, but with a pad to soak up excess blood and a pressure point to help control bleeding.

5. Tourniquet—an item placed above the wound to cut off blood flow, mostly used for arterial bleeding wounds.

6. Halo Chest Seal—these are placed onto the entry and exit wounds of an injury victim’s chest to prevent air from flooding the chest cavity and crushing the lungs.

7. Decompression —used to relieve air pressure in a chest cavity from a sucking chest wound.

8. Nasopharyngeal Airway—used to create an open airway, by inserting a tube through the nose.

Below is a picture of a US Army improved Medical kit.

olive drab
Image courtesy of Olivedrab.com

The Trauma Kit as provided by the US Army is a bit large for everyday carry. So, when I received mine, I took out all of the contents, and vacuum sealed them, which cut the size down in half.

Larger Trauma Kits

In today’s market, there are endless possibilities when it comes to trauma kits. The items listed above are only part of the entire medical bag that I carry in the car every day, which includes items such as SAM splints, an IV bag, and a stitching kit. This larger kit stays in the car so that if I come upon a medical emergency, I have the gear to be able to help treat a variety of injuries.

Ideally, in any self defense situation, one would hope to come out unharmed. However, there is always a chance that you or someone else may receive a life threatening injury. With proper training and equipment, you may save your life, or that of the person next to you.

Featured image courtesy of Princeton.edu

Share This

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
    SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
  • The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
    The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
    Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
  • M4A1 Block I: The Special Operations Origins of an American Icon
    M4A1 Block I: The Special Operations Origins of an American Icon

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Ajita Sherer on Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
  • Leland on Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
  • Winston Smiths on Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader

Latest From SOFREP

News

Evening Brief: Israel, US Consider ‘Alternative Options’ as Ceasefire Talks with Hamas Stall; Ukraine Holds Line Against Russian Summer Offensive

Featured

Anti-Woke Crusader Matthew Lohmeier Confirmed as Under Secretary of the Air Force

The Pic of the Day

SOF Pic of the Day: Brazilian Special Forces with M110 Rifle

Op-Ed

Tulsi Gabbard and the Subversion of American Intelligence

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...