IFAK Production

A 'how-to' on IFAKs...

Intro

IFAK - Individual First Aid Kit

"IFAKs are trauma kits containing essential life-saving materials, bleeding control and major wound treatments. Tactical IFAK components include tourniquets, chest seals, combat gauze and other hemostatic agents."

'First Aid' kits have always been present on the battlefield in various forms

IFAKs have greatly improved overtime

Less emphasize is being placed on combat life savers (medics) and more on individual self/buddy aid

IFAKs are made for non-medical personnel use while in the field

IFAK Purpose

IFAKs address the 2 most common causes of battlefield deaths:

• uncontrolled bleeding
  
  - tourniquet use
  
  - 'wound packing' gauze
  
  - pressure dressing

• obstructed/compromised airway
  
  - nasopharyngeal use
  
  - 'chest seal' for open/sucking chest cavity wound

Older Versions

WWII - bottom left pouch


Vietnam

Different IFAK Versions

USMC


Air Force


Aircraft use

IFAK Specs

Weight - about 1 pound

Items:

• tourniquet

• hemostatic gauze ('combat gauze')

• pressure dressing

• nasopharyngeal airway

• 'combat pill' pack

• surgical tape

• eye cup

• TC3 card

• Sharpie marker

Pouch - modified SAW pouch with internal organizer and attached lanyard


TQ


Hemostatic gauze dressing (Z-pack)


Pressure dressing


Nasopharyngeal airway


Combat pill pack


Surgical tape


TC3 card


Small Sharpie

IFAK Applications

Step 1 - Care Under Fire (CUF)

Step 2 - Tactical Field Care (TFC)

Step 3 - Tactical Evacuation Care (TACEVAC)

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2065485358
TC3 OBJs:
•Treat the casualty
•Prevent additional casualties
•Complete the mission

Bandage Types

"Israeli" bandage
Pros:

• 'tried & tested' over time

• low profile packing

Oales bandage
Pros:

• 'pressure cup' site

• 'eye cup' option

• 15ft/3m of 4-ply gauze

• plastic occlusive sheet for an open chest wound

"H" bandage
Pros:

• "H" handle creates strong downward pressure onto injury site

Hemostatic Applications

There are 2 main types of hemostatic delivery methods:

• gauze impregnated with chitosan or other agent

• a granular powder that is poured/placed into the wound cavity

Some variants include a special granular gun shot wounds (GSWs) applicator

Additional Items

Needle decompression




Occlusive dressings ('chest' seals)


Oales pressure dressing


9-Line MEDEVAC


Wax pencil

IFAKs Over Time

IFAKs were first introduced around the mid 2000s. Before that they were simply known as FAKs (First Aid Kits)

Then around the mid 2010s, the IFAK was upgraded once again

IFAK 2 contents (circa 2014) that were added:

• additional TQ

• TCCC card w/th Sharpie

• eye shield

• chest seal for 'sucking chest wounds'

• strap cutter

Field Expedient TQs

Cravat-and-stick method


Illustration showing the brachial artery


Perhaps the best and most available expedient TQ

Videos

***WARNING - GRAPHIC VIDEO***

***WARNING - GRAPHIC VIDEO***

Conclusion

IFAKs have changed over time but their value remains tried and tested...to this day !

[Greybeard]

462...thanks !

[462]

this is pretty cool