List of MUST HAVE items in a Blowout Kit and First Aid Kit

[Rmplstlskn]

OK, I am wondering if the group think on BOK's and FAK's have changed over the last few years...

Anyone have a LIST of the MUST HAVE items in a BOK and FAK for the person without specialized medical training?

I have ripped apart all my MOLLE web gear to re-design it for a more realistic role, which now includes a 3-day back pack that is fast dump, if needed to lighten up for conflict. So this has required that I re-evaluate my various medical kits I carry on person.

I used to use a TT med kit with a quick disconnect molle plate that rode on a water carrier on my back, attached to a TT MAV chest rig. But that thing was like the size of a grapefruit, a big, hard ball. The bulkiest items were the QuikClot ACS+ sponge, the Israeli ABD H-bandage, a CAT tourniquet, and some gauze. I also had Band-Aids, a thorax needle, and a nasal tube, plus some other small stuff. This stuff is BULKY!



So I need to trim down my BOK to ride in a smaller pouch on my chest rig, and for one that has NEVER had to deal with a real blowout (gun shot wound), I am wondering what I ~REALLY~ need in a BOK, as the one I had was just too bulky.

I then plan on having a decent FAK in the back pack, but it too I do not want to be carrying a big arse kit, taking up all my space in a 3-day back pack.

So does anyone have a LIST of the MUST HAVE items in a BOK and FAK?

What I ~WANT~ to have is realistically too bulky, but I also don't want to need something I took out just because I was whining about if this FAK makes me look fat... ;)

Any help, my brothers?

Rmpl

[protus]

My rig I run the following -
TT nade pouch -CAT and 4 inch Izzy
Sds nade pouch -HH compressed gauze /Izzy

On my belt -
Tt nade pouch -2nd cat and Izzy
Tear away ifak - 3rd CAT, Izzy, asherman seal, decomp needle, HH gauze, shears, npa /opa, gloves, tape.celox /quick clot

Bigger kit rides in my pack . As you can see its kinda bleeder specific. And in line with my skillset. Npa /needle is for more skilled folks.

[Lowdown3]

Biggest thing is being able to retrieve and apply the TQ quickly and with one hand- possibly your non dominant hand.

The Quickclot combat gauze is nice for packing wounds. The newer "Z fold" deal keeps the tails from falling into the mud/dirt while you are deploying it.

[Rmplstlskn]

Seems nothing new under the sun lately when it comes to IFAK & BOK...

See many using rubber bands to hold TQ on their gear... I know they want it to "break free" when needed, but I think it would break free when you don't want it to, like in a prone crawl... Would suck to need it and you look down and it is gone... LOL! Plus, rubber band dry rot quickly, especially when stretched.

Rmpl

[protus]

Seems nothing new under the sun lately when it comes to IFAK & BOK...

See many using rubber bands to hold TQ on their gear... I know they want it to "break free" when needed, but I think it would break free when you don't want it to, like in a prone crawl... Would suck to need it and you look down and it is gone... LOL! Plus, rubber band dry rot quickly, especially when stretched.

Rmpl

How slow is the difference between rip CAT from rubber bands vs pull from pouch.....not much. Keeps your buddies from going "what pouch again...."I guess.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Items you need are things to....
1. Stop the bleeding of an extremity wound quickly to get yourself back in the fight---CAT accessible with either hand.
1a. Another TQ accessible with either hand. Who says you will only get hit once. I carry my second one on my BB (not really part of my BOK)
2. Stop the bleeding of a gut wound---Hemostatic agent like QuikClot gauze.
3. Stop the air leak from a pneumothorax---petroleum gauze is small, lightweight and can fold. Whereas some commercial chest seals will not do well when stored folded and then unfolded for use. I carry my commercial chest seals in my IFAK (non-folded) that I can retrieve after the situation is controlled.
4. Something to bandage the extremity wound after the firefight is completed and you can remove the TQ, like an Izzy dressing.

Remember, your BOK is for you, and only you. Your team should carry their BOKs in the same location if at all possible. That way, when in the dark, you come up to them after they are hit you know right where their lifesaving gear is. No time to start looking into pouch after pouch looking for stuff. If a TQ is hidden in a pouch then it can't be seen. And I respectfully disagree, there is a time difference when retrieving a TQ from inside a closed, latched pouch vs. one located on the outside, but YMMV.

I have been evaluating a new TQ holder. Ran it during a class last weekend. Didn't have to go prone with this class, but did do kneeling, standing, running and transitioning from rifle to pistol and back again. I did have it come out once when I was kitting up for an evolution. Otherwise it held in place. Now, I'm not giving it my thumbs up yet as it did come loose and fell out. I'm not sure why, but maybe I hit it when donning my rifle and the sling hit it. Dunno....but, it causes me to be very leery of it until it's proven itself in further testing.


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[waterborne]

As far as chest seals I've just started carrying 2 4"x4.25" tegaderms in each of my Ifaks and other kits. They are self adherent, thin and light, and pretty cheap. I've used petroleum gauze on chest wounds before and they work but you have to use tape which means you have to carry tape and petroleum gauze in your IFAK.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

As far as chest seals I've just started carrying 2 4"x4.25" tegaderms in each of my Ifaks and other kits. They are self adherent, thin and light, and pretty cheap. I've used petroleum gauze on chest wounds before and they work but you have to use tape which means you have to carry tape and petroleum gauze in your IFAK.

Tegaderm is a good option. I have a few in my kit as well. The bottom line is, anything occlusive could be effective if the user knows what to do.