When planning for future survival preparedness, addressing injury is a huge priority. In the wilderness or in other emergencies, you often aren’t able to call for help right away. Carrying appropriate first aid gear is a must, and you’ll need more than a box of bandaids. An IFAK pouch contains everything you need to treat medical trauma in the field.

What Is an IFAK Pouch?

IFAK is an acronym that stands forindividual first aid kit. These kits provide the essentials to contain major bleeding and stabilize other traumatic injuries such as broken bones. They were first standardized by the military for soldiers to carry in the field and are usually issued to members of law enforcement, as well. Many survivalists and wilderness enthusiasts also carry an IFAK pouch. They are critical for keeping you and your comrades alive until you can get to safety.

Setting Up Your IFAK Pouch

The bag itself can vary. What’s most important is that you can reach it with either hand and that it is immediately recognizable to you. For example, many sit over your ribs on your dominant side and bear a medical cross.

When it comes to the items inside, quality is everything. Don’t buy knockoffs or lower-quality items— they can be the difference between life and death. Every IFAK pouch should contain at least the following items:

• Tourniquet
• Combat bandage
• Hemostatic gauze
• Chest seals
• EMT shears
• Permanent marker

Maintaining Your IFAK Pouch

Once you’ve got a complete kit, you can’t let it sit forever until you need it. You’ll need to perform some maintenance every so often. Examine your items every six months to ensure they are in good condition. Tourniquets in particular areprone to breakage if not kept out of the elements.

If you are using your IFAK pouch regularly, be sure to replace the items you have used each time. You don’t want to be caught without an essential item the next time you need to use it.

Learning How To Use Your IFAK Pouch

If you are new to carrying an individual first aid kit, you should seek out training. An IFAK is not that helpful if you don’t know how to use it. There are plenty of online and in-persontraining courses available.

You need to know what each item is for and how it is applied. You also need to know what different types of injuries look like and what they require. In an emergency situation, you won't have time for trial and error.

Finding a Quality IFAK Pouch

If you are an advanced user or have medical training, it is easier to put together a kit yourself. You’ll know what brands you prefer and how many of each item you typically need. However, if you are new to carrying an IFAK, you can buy a fully-formed kit. Be sure to go to a trusted source for such important survival gear.

Survivd is a retailer that understands the importance of an IFAK pouch. One of the co-founders is an American Board Certified Emergency Physician.Check out our store for essential survival gear.

https://iaf-fai.org/2020/08/31/skills-for-revolutionary-survival-1-trauma-medical-gear/

https://www.stopthebleed.org/training/

https://dspace.nuph.edu.ua/bitstream/123456789/13070/1/324-325.pdf

https://academic.oup.com/milmed/article/178/3/334/4210870#97734289

https://www.511tactical.com/setting-up-your-ifak-pouch-placement-and-contents