Medical Kit

The pouch is molle compadible. Keep it on the front of your vest if humanly possible. Sides are less preferred. Do not attach it to your back. The reason for this is if you lose mobility in one arm, you can still access everything in the pouch. Everything in the pouch can be operated with one hand. Doesn't matter what kind of pouch you use, as long as it fits your needs.

Try to keep the pull tabs at the top. Makes it easier to open with one hand. Not a huge detail, but it doesn't take much effort and can save time in an emergency. Source

At the bottom of the bag is an compressed gauze bandage package, specifically H&H priMed Gauze. 2 of them. Unsealed, it stretches to 4.5 inches wide, 4 yards long. You can use it as a standard pressure bandage. Very compact. Source

On top of the compressed gauze is an SOF tourniquet. When you get the package, remove the rubber bands. Practice applying it. After a couple go's, try with one hand. It's re-useable and hand-washable, just remember to re-oil the tension screw with CLP or whatnot. I highly recommend this specific tourniquet. Source

The scissors are ACU, and generally stored at the back of the pouch with the handle angled up. I generally put it in last. Source

On the back of the pouch is one or two packets of celox. It works like QuikClot, it's a powder that coagulates the blood almost instantly. Even arterial bleeding. Don't use it as a band-aid through. Once the packet is opened, use it all. Don't try to reseal. I generally included two. You can use it to treat multiple wounds in the event of sharpnel. If you self apply, put it in your pocket or some other place the medics can find. If you can do so or have someone else do so, write your medical details on an uninjured part of your body with a sharpee. Not a major concern, but if possible, consider doing so.

The Celox-A injector goes on the top of the bag. For deep wounds, push it in as far as possible without resistance, start hitting the plunger and continue pressing down as you SLOWLY remove. Then put a pressure dressing over wound. Read the directions on the back SEVERAL times. Always keep it on the top of the pouch for quick access. It's excellent for puncture or gunshot wounds. It's a bit of an urban legend to use tampons to seal gunshot wounds. This is a bad idea for many reasons, spend an extra couple of bucks and use Celox. Source

Also included is a small bulb of generic QuikClot or Celox. Not very important item, but it can be handy if you need to close up a small or annoying cut.

On top of the touriquet and below the Celox injector is a clinch tight compression bandage. It's designed to be operated with one hand. It's an entire self contained bandage 'system'. Absorbent pad to soak up blood, velcro straps to secure in place, elastic strap to apply pressure. Buy some additional bandages to practice with, especially for one handed application. Source

Next to the compression bandage and/or touriquet is an ACE bandage. I have a generic gauze version, but you can pick up the name brand sports ACE bandage virtually anywhere. Target, Walmart, grocery store, CVS, etc. Doesn't matter what version is used, as long as one is comfortable with it. It is not and is not meant to be sterile, so try not to apply it directly to a wound. But you can use it to hold sterile gauze in place.

Anything else is optional and dependent on your activities. I started including a minor cuts pouch Source and some extra alcohol wipes. Burn gel, blister pads and neosporin are also handy. If you have the room and don't mind the space being utilized, consider adding a small 3 oz bottle of contact solution. Contact solution is sterile until opened and can be used to irrigate or clean wounds. You can use it to flush out your eyes, as that is its intended purpose. If you use contacts, might be very handy.

This very kit went to Iraq. The following was combat specific advice, so it doesn't necessarily apply to everyone. The advice I included with the kit was the following: ALWAYS keep a minimum of the tourniquet, one celox packet, one compressed gauze roll, the Clinch Tight and the Celox-A injector in the kit. Adjust the rest as needed. If you are feeling generous, you can share the bandages with someone in need. The celox packet if you're being stupid, but do not give up your Celox-A injector under any circumstances even to save the life of a soldier unless he's your only source of survival. Read the directions carefully on all packages. Keep in the recommended loadout and bloody well memorize the locations. If you need replace stuff or just more of it, let me know. Don't leave the base without the pouch secured to your vest. I will ask your wife to make you swear to her that you will do so. Short of brain, spine or heart, this pouch can keep you alive for several hours. I'd immensely prefer you to return it to me unused after your tour is complete so it can be handed off to someone else. But obviously don't hesitant to use anything in it, there isn't a dollar bill made yet that can return someone from the grave.

Any feedback would be helpful. Suggestions, criticism, questions, whatever. Feedback from actual use is even more important. My email address is revdisk at this domain (minus the WWW, obviously).