What is an IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit)?
IFAK is an Individual or Improved First Aid Kit used to treat a specific type of wound or trauma, including major hemorrhaging and loss of breath. IFAKS are carried by infantry and special warfare units to treat injuries caused by shrapnel, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and gunshot wounds.
IFAKs are also carried by preppers, survivalists, and outdoorsmen who may need immediate medical attention in the field.
Why do you need an IFAK?
Keep an IFAK close at hand when you are in an environment where there is no medical assistance, or you will bleed out before help arrives.
Take an IFAK to the range in case of a weapon malfunction or accidental discharge. Keep one in your vehicle in case of a bad accident. (30k die every year in auto accidents), carry with you hunting or doing any outdoor activity and for SHTF situations such as Natural disasters and other survival scenarios.
IFAK (10 Critical Items)
No Two IFAKs will be precisely the same, but specific gear should be part of the load-out. Following is a list of 10 items to include.
#1
Combat Gauze (Combat Gauze-Sterile pad applied to a wound)
#2
Israeli bandage (Used to apply pressure to a wound)
#3
One decompression needle (relieves pressure in the pleural space)
#4
Two chest seals (HyFin Vent) (used for the treatment of sucking chest wounds)
#5
One nasopharyngeal airway (also known as an NPA or nose hose, inserted into the nasal passage to open an airway)
#6
One Casualty Card (Keep track of first aid rendered, so the next person knows what you’ve done, i.e., placed a tourniquet)
#7
Medical Tape (Frog Tape-Focus Research Group)
#8
Two Tourniquets (Tourniquets: (soft t Y, Cat) Keep it in your front pocket or readily accessible. )
#9
Quick Clot Powder (Hemostatic Agent)
#10
Nitrile Gloves (Non-latex)
Best IFAK Kits
If you want a pre-made IPAK kit, you can’t go wrong with the MediTac or the Blue Force kits listed below. A much cheaper way to go is to build the IFAK yourself. You decide.
Ready Squirrel may earn commissions from Amazon Affiliates Links. Anything we make, we use for beans and bullets.
MediTac Premium IFAK
Blue Force Gear Micro Trauma Kit
Trusted Tourniquets
CAT Combat Application Tourniquet
SOFTT-W Generation 4 Tourniquet
Amazon| Tactical Medical Solutions
Not an IFAK: A Boo-boo Kit
A Boo-boo kit is a small first aid kit used for non-life threatening first aid. This is the first aid gear you will use 99% of the time when you are in the field., camping, hiking, or bush crafting. Think cuts, scrapes, and typical non-life-threatening injuries that should be addressed to stop infection or minimize discomfort.
Everyone’s basic first aid kit will be a little different, but the following items will give you an idea of what to put in an outdoor first-aid kit for your particular situation. and philosophy of use.
What are Boo-Boo Kits Good For?
Boo-boos kits are good to have in an EDC backpack, a Bug-out Bag, or a vehicle.
Always have your first aid kits within arm’s reach in case of an emergency situation. Following are typical items found in Boo-boo or basic first aid kits.
Scott, Ready Squirrel
21 Items to Keep in a Boo-boo kit (Basic First Aid Kit)
- Large Square Bandage
- Gauze Pads
- Band-aids (Large and Small)
- Butterfly bandages
- Super Glue
- Alcohol pads
- Iodine pads
- Sting Relief pads
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Neosporin
- Burn gel
- Original
- Lip Ointment
- Electrolyte Packets
- Tweezer s or splinter out
Pills/Medication
- Anti-diarrheal
- Antihistamine
- Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Prilosec
- Claritin (allergies)
- Benadryl
*I am not a medical professional. All of this gear requires special knowledge and training.
