I told @catarchy161 that I would do a run-through of my demo Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK). My kit is based on Gun Shot Wounds (GSW) and then has some extras.

TW: Blood etc

I'll show the full kit then each item and go over why I chose that item and how to use it Kit in case:

Disclaimer: things in this kit can really hurt people and some shouldn't be used unless the person will die if you don't. This is all life or death get training in person, not from someone on the internet with "Eat Ass" on their profile picture. This info is just the start.

Disclaimer Con't: What I'm going through is just the basics to keep someone from dying right there, they will need more treatment and a lot of this stuff is just to keep them alive to get that. Getting the causality to a hospital or similar is part of treating a serious wound.

Back to the Fun, GSW/ serious injury part of the kit:
Get this stuff from North American Rescue or Tactical Medical Solutions, not Amazon/ eBay, knock offs abound.

From Top Left:
OLAES Pressure Dressing
Hemostatic Gauze
Z-fold Gauze
Chest Seal
CAT
Trauma Sheers
Sharpie

Small injury/ comfort part of the kit. From top Left:

Non-Asprin Pain Reliever
Imodium AD (anti-diarrheal)
Elastic Bandage/ Ace Bandage
Fexofenadine HCL (antihistamine)
Nitrile Gloves (lots)
Various band-aids
Ibuprofen 2x 200mg dose packs

Not Pictured: Cold Compress

OLAES Pressure Dressing 4":
I chose this because it has gauze in it, and an occlusive layer so it can treat multiple wounds, and with the occlusive layer be used on the abdomen where you wouldn't normally use a pressure dressing. I find the pressure cup easier than other types.

Use a pressure dressing on a serious wound where you need the pressure to hold in packing or stop the bleeding. You should only use these on limbs, not the chest, neck, or head. Put the pad over the wound with the cup over where you want the pressure, wrap pulling tight, secure

CELOX Rapid Hemostatic Gauze: This or Quick Clot brand are both great. There is a ton in there This gauze has chemicals to help stop bleeding it is used to pack serious wounds. You don't pack chest wounds, we'll talk about those in a sec.

How to pack a wound:
Put pressure to the outside of the wound while you get your stuff, find the bleeder with your fingers, put gauze on it where your fingers are, fill the wound with gauze, pack in more, put pressure on the wound for 3 seconds, if still bleeding pack in more.

Z fold Gauze, it fits a ton in a small package. Can be used to pack more when out of hemostatic gauze, or treat less major wounds as a dressing.

Once you pack a would apply a pressure dressing. If treating a less serious wound you can use an elastic bandage to apply pressure.

HyFin Chest seal. Get a twin pack you need one for entry and exit wounds. These are for open chest wounds. I carry the vented kind as they can let excess pressure escape the chest cavity.

Apply Pressure to wound, remove the seal from packing, clean wound area of stuff, pull off backing, apply seal centered over the wound, make sure the vents are not clogging with blood. Make sure you get the entry and exit wound if it's a GSW.

North American Rescue Combat Application Tourniquet. Do not settle for knock offs they will break and people will die.

When using a Tourniquet you are making the choice between someone losing a limb and a life. Are you qualified to make that choice? Are you ok with that choice?

For use on limbs and only when other bleeding control methods have failed. These are dangerous AF. I'm serious.

Apply above the wound, pull tight so 3 fingers cannot fit between TQ and skin, twist the bar until bleeding stops, lock bar in clip, close tab, write the time on tab.

Sharpie: This is for writing the time on the time tab on the CAT. You have to write the time when you apply a Tourniquet, so the people at the hospital know if they can save the limb or if they will be removing it.

As I said TQs are not to be used lightly.

North American Rescue Trauma Shears. Sharp scissors for removing clothing to get at wounds, will also cut seatbelts etc. If you are using anything above this ruing their clothes is not a concern, getting to the wound fast is.

We've been here a while, take a break, have some water, chill out. All that other stuff is kinda scary and self-care is part of the work.

I'll get into why I carry the other basic stuff when you are back. Love and respect.

Nitrile Gloves. (yes I'm going out of order now, high five for noticing). These are to keep you from getting anything the casualty has to stop anything on your hands from getting in the wounds. Always put gloves on before touching hurt people. Even if there isn't a pandemic.

non-aspirin pain reliever: it's good to carry a verity of pain relievers to share, I like that these are in small individual dose packs and clearly labeled so if I give them to someone they know exactly what they are getting. Also, cops can't say its drugs. got these from NAR.

Self-adhesive elastic bandage, used to put isolate joints, make splints, wrap wounds that don't need a pressure dressing but are too serious for a band-aid. Came in clutch when I got hit by a car and needed to limp home.

Fexofenadine 180mg (Antihistamine) this is a full 24-hour adult dose of non-drowsy antihistamine. Allergies suck, they suck a lot when you are wearing masks. They suck a lot a lot when you are getting gassed.

Imodium-AD (antidiarrheal) You ever had diarrhea come on when kettled by the cops waiting to get mass arrested? Not a pleasant experience.

What was in that Food Not Bombs burrito anyway?

Assorted Band-aids, for the small cuts and scrapes and to take care of people in need. Cover those wounds infections are not fun.

Ibuprofen 2x 200mg dose packs. It's my go-to pain reliever, it's my IFAK, this is a pretty standard dose to take or give out to those who need it.

Not pictured is a cold compress which is good for any sprain/ swelling and bruising/ impact injuries like those from buttons etc.