At the LV shooting, people needed immediate medical care at the scene.  I was thinking how useful an Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) could have been.

If you are shot and can get medical care in minutes, you'd likely live.  But, in an active shooter/hostage situation, anyone who has a major injury could be in a life-threatening situation with no help coming.

Does anyone carry an IFAK everywhere you go?  Are you now thinking it would be a smart idea to add an IFAK to your backpack for sightseeing or going to public events?

I wonder how event security personnel will treat something like this, since backpacks might not be allowed in sports arenas, etc.  A bulky IFAK might cause concern if you wear it on your belt.


I'm usually a packrat when I go places.  I carry all kinds of useful items which come in handy -- nail clippers, bandaids, tissues, headache meds, etc.  Since my mom isn't around with her gigantic purse, I have to carry on her tradition of having everything but the kitchen sink no matter where I am.

Now that there are convenience stores and a Walgreens or Walmart every mile, I've started trusting I can buy what I need when I need it.  But, watching the chaos in LV, I'm considering a fanny pack or shoulder pouch to carry a few emergency items.

Any thoughts or experiences? 

I saw some posts of ankle kits.
Would be useful if you always wear pants

Most useful thing to have is a tournaquet, can be used in a lot of different life and death situations.  Small and light.  Pocket knife is useful for a lot of stuff too.  But I don't carry those around with me.  I keep em in a car and bring my first aid kit for group functions.

The most important thing to know is CPR. 

I have kits in my car and in my work bag.  Though when I'm out and about, I don't have a kit on me.  I generally hate having more than my keys, wallet and phone on me.  That said, I have questioned why I took the time to put those kits together and don't have access to them a good amount of time.  Was it to make myself feel better having put the kits together?  Maybe.  I've thought about having more on me, but then I'd have to start carrying a small bag around with me all the time. 

Zippz brought up a good point about having a TQ handy.  Though many everyday items can be fashioned into a TQ.  Just have to me mindful of what you have and what is available around you.  Most typically have many items on their person that can be used in medical emergencies.  Belts, your clothing, etc.  I'm not saying that's a replacement for having medical stuff.  Just not realistic for many to have a kit handy all the time.  For those that do, awesome.  Just thinking realistically here. 

Ankle kits are useful if you can deal with the extra stuff hanging on your leg. I’ve seen some pretty good stuff like the Patrol Officer Trauma Kit offered by Rescue Essentials which has a swat-t tourniquet, gloves, duct tape, gauze, and the packaging can be used as a chest seal with the duct tape provided. Or a more minimal kit also offered by them that has only the gloves, swat-t tourniquet, and gauze all in its own little pouch.

Bandages are nice to have except I personally don’t like the bulk and the amount of real estate it takes on person, otherwise I have them in the car with a basic first aid kit and chemlights..

I carry a flat H-bandage with a z-pak gauze in my backpack and some 550 paracord

There are some EDC kits that fit in a cargo pants pocket and have the minimum components to keep you breathing until help arrives.

This one looks like it has much more than others for the price:

http://www.lapolicegear.com/ar500-tactical-epik.html?utm_source=ar500-tactical-epik&utm_medium=shopping%2Bengine&utm_campaign=googleproducts&Color=BK%3A%20Black&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsNfOBRCWARIsAGITapYZudqGn9N-w8IAar6CMIxFu_kJBHVO7B1Czoyh3zdLhl1om8rW9bgaAmBiEALw_wcB

When CCWing, I carry a TQ and quikclot in my pocket.  Now my wife will carry the same in her purse after this incident.

When in Hawaii, TQ, Israeli Bandage, Quikclot in my car.  And a seperate IFAK in my gym bag,  The one I attach to my plate carrier and bring to the ranges.