We are finally seeing a lot of advancement among the laymen in carrying medical equipment, and that is a great thing. It feels like we spent a decade with people buying “Operator Steve” type kits while neglecting what is arguably the most important part. Know this; if you carry a gun for a living, you are going to end up patching up either yourself or a friend. That is how the game is played. And someone living or dying might very well come down to having some materials on hand to stop them from bleeding out.
With that, we have also seen a recent trend of going from empty first aid pouches to filled first aid pouches, which is good and bad. On the one hand, I see the missing link in handing a citizen a pouch and telling him to fill it with medical equipment. That is not a slight, but most people are not going to know what to put in it. Or where to get things besides Band-Aids and fruit snacks. On the other hand, we have seen some unsavory characters sell “filled” first aid kits that are full of useless junk. That isn’t uncommon with industrial or restaurant first aid kits either. If you have one at work, crack that thing open some time. Dollars to donuts it is full of fluff that would be useless if someone was hurt bad.
Blue Force Gear was founded by Ashley Burnsed who happened to know Larry Vickers. Larry Vickers, who has done some of that fancy combat stuff all the kids are getting into, reps Blue Force Gear frequently and has a strong relationship with them. So I assure you, he wasn’t going to let a filled trauma kit out the door that was full of trash. It also wouldn’t surprise me to know they have a recent or active 18D on staff to advise what goes in it. The MTKN is full of high quality stuff, no shortcuts have been taken. It even has a lot tracking numbers and a sticker on the back that shows the EARLIEST date an item in the kit expires. You know before you even open it that you haven’t purchased expired trash.
In fact, the only rub with the MTKN kit is that it may be too advanced. It actually comes in two models, basic and advanced. And I would encourage you to look at what you know how to do before you buy. The basic kit has things everyone should be able to use, like bandages, a tourniquet, a gauze pad, and tape.
The advanced model, at its higher price tag, has some pretty specialized stuff. Like a nasopharyngeal airway, a chest seal, and a decompression needle. All things every SOF member knows how to use because they taught us how as part of a highly specialized training pipeline. But things I’m not sure a normal dude or even a non-SOF military member (medics excluded) can or should make use of.
And I feel two ways about that, to be honest. Should you, a normal guy, attempt a needle decompression on someone when your training consists of reading about how to do it one time? If the paramedics are three minutes out, probably not. But what if someone is messed up badly, and they are likely to die if you don’t? Well, bro, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Taxi drivers have delivered babies too, and I promise that wasn’t in the job description. So I don’t think the advanced kit should scare you off.
This is one that takes some thought, but I can at least say BFG built kits for every skill set. All built right here in the USA, Savannah, GA to be precise. And they did a fantastic job at it. Whatever level of speed and drag you are, they have something to fill your needs. And let’s all just hope we get these and never have to use them.
Primary Arms stocks the full line of BFG Trauma Kits and you can see those HERE.
I was fortunate when I was a SWAT operator to attend a class put on by an FBI medic for SWAT operators.
Now retired, I have put together a trauma kit for both myself and another retired police officer who is also a hunting buddy. The medic who put on the class helped me out together my kit, and a tourniquet is in there along with all the items listed in your article.
I carry my kit always while hunting or otherwise it’s kept in my truck or close at hand while at home.
Have a great access to a family member’s acreage where I have set up a range. It is fairly rural in eastern Colorado.
My former MOS many years ago was not combat arms, but a surgical tech, so a trauma bag is just part of my range gear.
If a ‘guest’ is invited to shoot there, a briefing is always held and directions to the closest hospital with a map is sitting in the vehicle. Sketchy cell service and rural FD response would guarantee a GSW will a be private vehicle grab and go.
Not a bad kit. Needs turnakit. If there is one thing that has been learned in the last 20 years of conflict, Turnakit!
Thanks!
Yes, even in Most States Require all Trade Contractors, Responcible Senior Lead managers. Need First Aid Training for on the Job injuries. Then carry in all company Vehicle’s Advance First Aid Kits. As many Professional, Independant Trucker’s Need to carry more then just Fire Extinguisher plus some cases understand. That quick First Aid maybe required before any First Responders arrive. That with National Disasters as well as Self Denfence Weapons Action Accident happens. Then many also may have to Assistance in emergency Deliveries of New Babies Born on many Highway’s,Back Rule Roads many miles from close Hospitals. As many Truckers also members of Uniforms Safety Observes Groups Nationwide.
Why would you think every reader knows what an 18D is? For those who do not speak army, it’s a medic, well, a special forces trained medic. Emergency room nurses, most EMTs, and USAF, Coast Guard, USN have advanced trauma trained medics and some of us JQPs are trained and get refreshers. (John Q Publics & a few Joe 6 Packs) Not all to 18D level, just capable.
Incomplete but a decent article, Clay.