Budget IFAK

IFAK stands for Individual First Aid Kit or Improved First Aid Kit, depending on whom you ask.  This kit is issued to soldiers and is designed to address the most life threatening injuries likely to be experienced in combat.  It is not a boo-boo kit with bandaids and Neosporin.  It is used to treat arterial bleeding, sucking chest wounds, and to keep the airway open.  Anyone who carries a concealed handgun, should carry an IFAK.  If you are carrying, you are prepared for a gun fight.  If you are prepared for a gun fight, you should be prepared for gun shot wounds.

These kits can be expensive.  IFAKs from Dark Angel Medical or Chinook Medical run in the $140 to $165 range.  If you want multiple kits (one for the car, one for the house, one for an EDC bag, etc.) this adds up pretty quickly.  Even if you make your own kit, the Combat Gauze will cost you $30 or more, unless you buy it on eBay (watch the expiration date!).  The CAT will cost you another $30.  (Beware of cheap CAT counterfeits.)

I'm proposing a very inexpensive kit that you can assemble for a few bucks.  It will be similar in function to the expensive kits.  It lacks the hemostatic ability of Combat Gauze, the tourniquet is not as quick as a CAT, but this kit is far superior to no kit, which is where many of you are right now.  You can gradually upgrade it to the fancy stuff as your budget allows.  

Per USAMMA (US Army Medical Material Agency), here is what is in a typical IFAK:

6515-01-521-7976 Tourniquet, Combat Application 1 (CAT)

6510-01-492-2275 Bandage Kit, Elastic 1 (6" Israeli bandage)

  OR 6510-01-460-0849 Bandage Kit, Elastic 1 (4" Israeli bandage)

6510-01-503-2117 Bandage GA4-1/2” 100’s 1 (H&H compressed gauze)

6510-00-926-8883 Adhesive Tape Surg 2” 6’s PG 1 

6515-01-180-0467 Airway, Nasopharyngeal 1 

6515-01-519-9161 Glove, Patient Exam 100’s 4 

6510-01-562-3325 Dressing, Combat Gauze 1

http://www.usamma.army.mil/assets/docs/IFAK.pdf

For an a high-speed kit, I would add the following:

6510-01-581-0553 Halo Chest Seal, 1 pkg (2 per pkg)

6515-01-541-0635 14 g x 3.25" needle, 1

Budget IFAK:

1.  Triangular bandage, 1

37x37x52" in a right triangle shape, cut from an old sheet

Iron it and fold it into a cravat, like a military issue triangular bandage (NSN 6510-00-201-1755).

Price:  free if you have an old sheet or about $2 if you buy an old sheet from a thrift store

2.  3/8 x 6" oak dowel, 1

Together with the triangular bandage, you can make a tourniquet.

Price:  $1.28 for a 36" dowel from Lowe's (you can make 5 from one dowel)

3.  ABD dressing, 5x9", 1

Might be called "surgical pad" at your pharmacy.  You can substitute a maxi-pad if you feel secure in doing so.  

Price:  free to a few bucks

4.  Ace bandage, 4", 1

Combine this with an ABD pad or maxi-pad to make a pressure bandage that is not as quick or slick as an Israeli bandage, but it does the job.

Price:  about $5

5.  Nitrile gloves, 4

You will likely have to buy a big box, but you can make multiple kits.  Use the leftovers for messy jobs around the house or garage.

Price $7.99 for 100 at Harbor Freight

6.  Duct tape, 24"

Wrap it around an old credit card or similar type card. 

Price:  Free (you should have this already)

7.  Nasopharyngeal airway, 28 French, 1

Price:  $5.99 on eBay

8.  Ziploc bag, 1 quart, 1

Holds the contents of the kit.  Can be used with duct tape to form an occlusive dressing for sucking chest wounds.  

Price:  Free (from your kitchen)

Build a Budget IFAK (or 2, or 3) today.  Gradually replace the items in the kit with the high-speed stuff as your budget allows.