med kit

Primary Arms IFAK Kit

  Primary Arms has been releasing new products left and right. They recently came out with their own trauma medical kit and a pouch to hold it all in. Well, they may have teamed up with North American Rescue for the supplies, which is a good thing. Many of us are big proponents of having medical gear, especially trauma medical gear, me included. Let’s not forget the knowledge of how to use that med gear also.

  The main part of this med kit is the Individual First Aid Kit, or IFAK for short. It has all the goodies you will need to stop major trauma, see the FNB’s below for the contents. It is also vacuum sealed, so if you want to leave it that way, you can. Or open it up and use it as a refill for your current kit. One big advantage to this IFAK kit is that it comes with a CAT tourniquet. Another nice addition in the kit are chest seals. I actually added an inhaler and some antihistamines, because you never know when you might be allergic to something. If you don’t know how to use some of this stuff, they include a little instruction card to help you remember. The card doesn't take the place of actual training, but it can help.

  Primary Arms then adds in their First Aid Pouch. Mine is in OD Green, but they have black, red, and coyote. It also comes with a little red cross patch so that others know it’s some sort of medical kit. The pouch itself measures 7” x 6” x 4.5”. It’s a nice size for all the stuff in the IFAK, but is a little large to mount on a duty belt. However, it could work nicely on a vest or on a bag. For mounting the pouch, it uses the standard MOLLE snap straps. They are permanently affixed to the back panel of the pouch. Speaking of the back panel, it is separate from the pouch itself. The back panel is a big chunk of soft loop. The main pouch just sticks to the backing. The back then has a strap that can be wrapped around the pouch to keep it more secure. I really like this mounting, that way the pouch can be torn off and used quickly, or taken to someone who needs it. There is a handle on top to help with the aforementioned. Of course, the pouch has 2 zippers that meet at the top to make access easy. Various elastic pockets inside give you a variety of mounting options for all the medical gear in your kit. There is some MOLLE on the front, in case you need to attach something to the front of it, along with a strip of soft loop above the MOLLE. Lastly, it has a top flap that can hold the tourniquet on the outside. It’s a good idea, I just didn’t think it is sturdy enough to keep the tourniquet in place under hard use.

   Luckily, I have never had to use any of my trauma gear. Except maybe a band-aid or two. The Primary Arms IFAK is still a great way to have it ready if needed. Since they are reasonably priced, you can throw one in your vehicle, backpack, or wherever you might think you’ll need it. If you just want a decent small medical bag so you can put your own supplies in it, that’s an option also.

  I’m really glad Primary Arms started putting all this trauma medical gear in one place. You can’t go wrong with this IFAK kit, it has all the supplies you might need in this size of kit. I’d definitely check it out, especially since you can just get the refill kit if you already have some sort of med kit/pouch. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Individual First Aid Kit with tear away pouch

Target Market:

Anyone needing a first aid trauma kit

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

First Aid Pouch

  • 600D Construction

  • 7” x 6” x 4.5” 

  • MOLLE/PALS Compatible

  • Clam Shell Configuration

Kit

  • CAT Combat Application Tourniquet

  • Vacuum Sealed Bag

  • Patrolatum Gauze (3" x 18")

  • Emergency Trauma Dressing (4", Flat)

  • Blue responder gloves (Large)

  • Compressed Gauze

  • 1" Surgical Tape

  • Hyfin Compact Vented Chest Seal Dressing (Twin pack)

  • 1oz Eye wash solution

  • Safetec Burn Gel

  • Small 6.25" Trauma Shears

  • 10 flexible fabric bandages (3/4" x 3")

  • Ziploc Bag (2" x 5")

  • 2 Antibiotic Ointment

  • 8 Alcohol Prep Pads

  • Bleeding Control Instruction Card

  • Emergency Survival Blanket (52" x 84")

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Coyote, Black, or Red

What others are saying?:

As of writing, nothing on the Primary Arms website

Link to other reviews:

As of writing, I found no reviews

Price point:

MSRP = $139.99

Retail =

I need it now! Availability:

Primary Arms

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Includes all essential trauma kit needs

  • Tear away pouch

  • Quick access

Cons:

  • External way of holding tourniquet 

Score:  8.50 Great

Tasmanian Tiger TAC Modular SW Pack 25

  Ever since Tasmanian Tiger products have been distributed in the USA, I have wanted to check some of their stuff out. Well, the time has come. I requested the TAC Modular SW pack 25 for review. This is from Tasmanian Tiger’s discreet line. So from the outside, it just looks like an everyday 25liter backpack.

  When the TAC pack first showed up, I was really impressed with the quality. It is made from 700D Cordura , and is tough. I tried to scuff it up with a screwdriver. I couldn’t even tell where I had tried to fray it. 700D has the wear resistance of 1000D but the weight of 500D. It has 3 compartments, 2 of which have lockable YKK zippers. The 2 main compartments run the full depth of the bag. The 3rd is a smaller one that is on the top front, mainly made to hold pens, notebooks, glasses, and various smaller items. Of course the TAC pack has padded shoulder straps, a padded back, and even a padded removable hip strap.

  Where the TAC pack really shines, is inside the 2 main compartments. The front one completely unzips and can be folded out for ease of access. On the front fold down piece, there is a zippered mesh pocket that takes up about a third of the flap. The other section of that flap has 2 loop strips to attach stuff. As you look inside this opened up pack, you will see a hook and loop padded divider. This divider has 4 strips of 2” wide loop fastening sewn to it. The inside, sides, are lined with a loop MOLLE panel. I really like the loop MOLLE panel because one can use it a multitude of ways, plus it is pretty stiff to support heavier items. Since I mentioned the padded divider, it is removable to allow the 2 main compartments to become 1.

  The second main compartment, which I call the back, because it is the side that is against your back while wearing the pack, also fold down completely. There is no side MOLLE loop panels, unless the divider has been removed. Instead, the whole fold down panel has the loop backed MOLLE panel! The pack comes with a so called universal holster to attach to this. As with most anything called universal, it kind of sucks. So I took a Matchpoint panel, attached a real holster, and made my own. Tasmanian Tiger does mention the holster supplied is really only for transportation, but I think they should have just omitted including it. This compartment also has the pocket for the back support. The back support is a semi-molded plastic with an aluminum spine running down the middle. You can form this to your back pretty easily. In with the backer is also some closed cell foam for padding. Toward the top of this compartment, are slots, one on each side, to allow a bladder hose or wires to go through.

  Time for the back area and straps. The part of the TAC pack that rests against your back is also padded. The padded panel is attached in a way that makes it so one can use it like a large pocket. Sliding something in from the top. It does have side openings at the bottom to  allow the hip strap to be attached, so it isn’t a true pocket. The hip strap attached inside this “pocket” via hook and loop. The hip strap is padded, has large zippered pockets on each side, and is about 4” wide. The hip strap can hold an AR magazine in each pocket with room to spare. It is very comfortable, but I took it off because I am not carrying huge amounts of weight. The shoulder straps are about 3” wide and very well padded also. They have some curve to them so they won’t rub on your neck. As one would expect, they also have quick adjust straps on both the top and bottom for extra adjustability. An adjustable chest strap, with some elastic for give, helps to hold the pack firmly. The straps also have quick release buckles, in case you need to get the pack off quickly. Over these quick release buckles, is an elastic cover, that can be slid over to keep them from unclasping at the wrong time. 

  The outside of the pack is pretty generic. This is exactly like a discrete backpack should be. On each side is a pocket, that has loop inside it. The loop allows you to actually keep something attached inside it, like maybe some magazine carriers. It will hold a double mag AR pouch. There is a small single zippered pocket at the bottom front, then the top one mentioned earlier. Now all the way at the bottom, is a zipper. Inside this zipper is an orange panel. The panel is half covered in loop. It can be pulled out and attached to the pack. When attached, it can be used as an identifier by attaching patches to the loop panel or just as a signal. There is a tiny Tasmanian Tiger logo carefully hidden by one of the straps, this is the only noticeable feature, and most people won’t even see it. On the top and bottom sides, there are also some tabs to attach shock cord or paracord. Just a little something in case you might need to strap something else onto the pack. There is also a carry handle at the top of the pack. A pretty useful feature if you don’t want to hoist the bag onto a shoulder for short movements.

  I have been using the TAC pack 25 for around 3 months now. It’s been loaded up with ammo and taken to the range as a range pack. I’ve thrown clothes in it for short trips. Basically I have done everything I could think of to this pack, short of dragging it behind a truck. It is the perfect size for travelling, It might even be small enough to count as a personal item on airlines. The comfort is amazing. Having an actual spine makes it useful for heavier items. It is a little narrow to fit my level 3A soft backpack insert into, but it can be crammed into it if needed. The MOLLE hook and loop panels are spectacular. It might be a little heavy for some, at 3.75lbs, but I didn’t think so. The way the compartment panels unzip and fold out, might make it a useful medical backpack. 

  I’m very pleased with the Tasmanian Tiger pack. It does everything I need. Plus, in today's climate, having a backpack that is discrete, is a huge plus. Nobody will look at it and think, “maybe he has a gun in there”, instead they will just go about their everyday business and pay you no mind. Go check out the TAC Modular SW pack 25 and see for yourself.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Discrete duty grade backpack

Target Market:

Anyone needing an everyday use  backpack with all the options

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • 25 liter volume

  • Padded Back Carrying System with aluminum spine

  • Large zip opening with easy access to the main compartment

  • Removable, padded hip belt

  • Hip belt with zipper pockets

  • Carry Handle

  • Lockable zippers

  • Deep top pocket

  • Insert pockets on both sides with hook and loop inside

  • Cable port

  • Large MOLLE hook-and-loop panel inside

  • Signal flag with hook-and-loop integrated in the bottom

  • Main compartment with detachable divider with hook-and-loop closure

  • Extra small TT Logo to remain covert

  • 3.75 lbs empty

  • 22” x 11” x 7”

  • 700 denier Cordura 

  • Lockable YKK zippers

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Olive and Coyote

What others are saying?:

Nothing found

Link to other reviews:

Pine Survey

Price point:

MSRP = $239.00

Retail = $199.95 at Mad City Outdoor Gear

I need it now! Availability:

Mad City Outdoor

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Discrete

  • Excellent size

  • Removable Hook & Loop MOLLE panel / divider

  • Carry handle

  • Lockable zippers

Cons:

  • Hard to find

  • Removal/Installation of hip strap

  • Supplied holster

Score: 8.50 Great

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Favorite Link:  Gun and Gear Cult

Rescue Essentials ankle kit

There has been rise in the addition of medical equipment to the “EDC lifestyle” and rightly so in my estimation. With more and more folks realizing, as the old cliche goes, they are their own first responder and unintentional trauma being of of the leading causes of death and, according to some sources, the leading cause for people under 45; it seems like a no brainer to carry some equipment to buy some time in the event you or a loved one needs medical attention right now. Things like tourniquets, gauzes, pressure bandages, chest seals and the like are all the rage right now and with proper training can absolutely save a life. 

But how the hell do you carry all that? What with the stuff you already have, which of you’re anything like me includes: gun, knife, flashlight, OC, spare ammo, wallet, keys phone etc. 

On your ankle of course. Enter the rescue essentials ankle medical holster. I will start by saying, I had low expectations for this as it was one of the cheapest ankle rigs I could find on amazon that would meet my basic requirements. I understand that “you get what you pay for” ordinarily. But before I dropped bigger money on an ankle kit I wanted to see if I could even get used to the thing strapped to my leg. I should also point out that the carrier is about the only thing medical related that should ever purchase from amazon. 

About $25 and two days later the ankle pouch arrived. Seems to be made well but more about that later, has one main pouch with a flap and two narrower slots. It also has a small area of molle webbing. So I stuffed it with all the goodies and strapped that sucker to my leg. 

According to rescue essentials, this rig is designed for one tourniquet (either a CAT or SOFTT-W), a 4” izzy bandage, and two pair of gloves. They also claim a SWAT-T and decomp needle can also be accommodated. Not one to be told what to do, I packed it how I saw fit for my lifestyle. While I have switched a few things here and there. I currently load it with (1) CAT gen7 TQ, (1) hyfin vented chest seal, (1) pack of celox gauze, (1) pack NAR compressed gauze, a CPR face shield, two pair of gloves and a small admin flash light. 

After the initial few days it became quite comfortable and now, two years later, I don’t even notice it anymore.  I have very few concealment problems with it, in “tactical” pants it’s a nonissue. In some jeans I have to remove the chest seal, and if you wear cowboy boots on a regular basis you might want to explore other options. It’s not impossible and I’ve done it a few times but it’s a pain.  Obviously, if you’re a shorts or skinny jeans kind of guy/gal this isn’t gonna work either. It is comfortable although I prefer to wear it over socks but will occasionally not. It holds everything in place very well, the only exception to this was the sharpie I tried to carry on it. But ridding on my ankle in the environment and elements that close to the ground, the damn thing is would never write when I needed it to anyway so I ended up not carrying it anymore. I never put a decomp needle in it so that’s the only thing I can’t really speak on, however, for the vast majority of people I don’t think that is a necessity, especially in an on body kit. I do have one in my vehicle kit. But that’s a different article. 

My biggest complaint is the molle webbing (actually PALS because it’s the host not the attachment).  I can’t see adding any molle accessories and it still be the slightest bit concealable. I did attach a few things like a multi tool pouch, a mag pouch, and a handcuff pouch. None proved to be useful. I do keep the small flashlight in the web and did the same with the sharpie. Not the intended use but I do what I want. I would much prefer to see this section replaced with another flapped pouch for another 4” Izzy. This would allow me to carry an additional chest seal and a compression bandage (Like the NAR ankle rig is set up for) the only other complaint I have, which is minor, is I’d like to see a flap to cover the TQ. Not a huge deal but it would protect the “time” strap from fraying as quickly. 

Overall, I think this is a good choice if you’re looking to build a small persona trauma kit and not break the bank. 

FIREARMS INSIDER REVIEWS - 8 KEY POINTS

CLAIM TO FAME:

Low cost ankle medical pouch 

TARGET MARKET:

People looking for a way to add medical gear to their edc without filling their pockets even more 

FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT: 

  • Lightweight

  • Comfortable

  • Cost effective

  • Elastic storage bands and pouches

  • Customizable to user preferences

  • Main Pouch has a red tab for instant identification

  • Three pockets plus a 2 x 3 PALS ladder

WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE? 

Black with a red tab 

What others are saying:

Amazon  - Luis N. B

I’m only 5’1”

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2020

I purchased this product because I like being prepared for the worse but I don’t have a lot of space on my belt or vest since I’m smaller than most. This product fits well on my ankle after putting all the products shown on my picture. I carry my tourniquet on my belt so I use one of the pockets for a naloxone and needle decompression. On the big pouch I carry chest seal and quick clot. On the other pocket I carry compressed cause and a space blanket. You can also see I carry an NPA and the medical scissors. One thing to be mindful is not overpacking it If your pants can’t stretch as much. I recommend practicing with whatever uniform you have. Overall, good product.

Price point:

MSRP = $30.00

Retail = $27.49 on Amazon

I need it now availability:

Rescue Essentials or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Works as intended

  • Stays put

  • Comfortable

  • Inexpensive

  • Durable 

Cons:

  • Limited space

  • TQ isn’t covered at the top

 Score: 8.00 Great

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