Any of yall carry a small IFAK for EDC? Like an ankle kit or anything like that? Looking at maybe getting one and wondered what y'all might recommend. Thanks!

You mean like true everyday carry? To the suburbia store and back and whatnot?

I used to carry one while working. Had a small pouch that I could cram in two CAT tourniquets, a small pressure bandage, CPR mask and some gloves. I went as small as I could and still ended up with something that was about double fist size. Which worked out on the field on my belt. I was the field medic though and needed something on me for first second response until my actual trauma bag could be retrieved from the truck.

I really don't see how you can get any smaller than that and actually have an IFAK worth the name. I know there are the bungie cord looking tourniquets that some people wrap around themselves like a second belt.

Curious as to what other thoughts are.

ETA: I will say that the most important thing by far is a tourniquet and if you concentrate on that then you could get away with a small pouch very easily that could be mounted anywhere. Overall, If you make your own IFAK it will depend heavily on your situation and what you want to be able to do as to the make up of it and ultimately the size and portability of it.

I'm in the process of being better prepared as well after my father was stabbed a few months ago. Luckily it was outside our hospital and I had access to clot activators and bandaging. My plan is to have these trauma kits with me all the time but I don't plan on keeping them with me for regular every day errands. I plan on having them in my truck, hunting bag, range bag, at home, girlfriends purse, etc.

SharkinAg said:

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I'm in the process of being better prepared as well after my father was stabbed a few months ago. Luckily it was outside our vet hospital ...

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Do what now?

Homeless guy stabbed him when he asked him to leave his property. Middle of the day on a Sunday afternoon.

http://conovers.org/ftp/Everyday-Emergency-Kit.pdf

Probably the best list for anyone without any experience (or even those with experience) to use as a starting reference. Just remember, training is as important as the equipment. I've seen plenty of doctors struggle to put on a tourniquet effectively. Buy and extra just for practice.

For the vast majority of people thinking about carrying an IFAK, it's like trying to use a full size glock as an EDC concealed carry. At first, it sounds like a great idea to have 17 rounds in a comfortable, full size gun. Then you start carrying, and for the first few days it's ok, but after a little while it just becomes annoyingly bulky. And eventually you stop carrying it.

A truck IFAK is another story. A tourniquet or two, some quick clot gauze (don't get the sponge), some regular gauze/gauze roll (kerlix), an Ace wrap or two, some gloves, a sharpie, +/- a pressure dressing, +/- a nasopharyngel airway. Should be plenty to hold you over in most basic trauma until EMS arrives. But improvising and knowing how to, and be willing to, stick a finger in a bleeding hole might do more than anything else you can carry in a bag.

https://warriorpoetsupplyco.com/edc-ankle-medical-kit-empty/

https://youtube.com/c/JohnLovell275

I've found this guys content to be outstanding. Here's what he carries on his person

Here's the loaded one

https://warriorpoetsupplyco.com/edc-ankle-medical-kit-medical-components-pack/

Don't buy any Amazon *****

For edc:

https://www.narescue.com/ankle-trauma-kits.html

Car kit:

https://www.narescue.com/patrol-vehicle-trauma-kits.html

Get a kit that fits your level of training...

I don't carry an IFAK but I do carry a tourniquet on my bag for work and have a small basic stop the bleed kit in my car (another tourniquet, gloves, shears, gauze, chest seals). Putting together a couple of basic first aid kits for the cars (basically just a boo boo kit for the kids) while I'm off for the holidays.

After supporting the PD/FD in a few active shooter training events it clicked how long you're going to wait for help in such a situation. Took a tourniquet class when they offered it and got a firefighter to explain the chest seals to me (pretty simple). I don't carry anything beyond that as I haven't trained for it and figure that it's enough to help until first responders can arrive.

I plan to duplicate the car bag in my office if we ever get to go back.

I would also recommend, as part of a "mental" first aid kit, really, REALLY knowing the Heimlich maneuver and how to give CPR. Everyone sees it on TV but knowing without a chart.

I have never needed a first aid kit but had to give my boss the Heimlich in the office, and it is more difficult than you think in the heat of battle.

I carry a [url= https://darkangelmedical.com/pocket-d-a-r-k-mini-trauma-kit/ ]Pocket Dark Mini[/u] from Dark Angel in a pouch on the strap of my backpack. I also have a CAT tourniquet in one of the open-top side pockets and a few other items in an interior pocket (gauze shears, sharpie, extra gloves, tape, and chest seals).

If I don't have my bag, the same kit will fit uncomfortably in the hip pocket of my jeans or easily into a jacket pocket. I don't like carrying it without a real tourniquet, so I usually have a SOFTT-W, which folds into approximately the size of a cell phone.