Often Medical training is one of the most overlooked areas in the Civilian Operator’s toolbox…it is more than having a boo boo bag or that tacti-cool Trauma Pack, as in all things, it comes down to KNOWING. KNOWLEDGE combined with QUICK RESPONSE can save lives.
Personalizing your kit and training to your specific household’s medical needs is a good place to start. Jot down any specific needs you have..for instance, Allergies, Diabetic Supplies or Heart Medicines. Speaking of allergies, Anaphylactic issues need to be addressed and prepared for as a priority, when dealing with small children this can be a real killer.
Having Quickclot and Celox in your kit is a MUST, but ask yourself, if the poo hit the oscillator, would I know how to use it? Whether using the granules or the combat gauze, knowing how to “pack” a severe gunshot or knife wound is training you really need. The Military top tier units use pigs to practice on due to the similarity in anatomical makeup.
Also, most people carry WAAAY too much stuff in a trauma kit..understand that in an emergency, you want to be able to have this gear at hand quickly and not have to be sorting thru stuff.
Here is what I recommend to make it as KISS as possible:
1. HSGI Blowout Pouch
2. Combat Med Shears
3. C-A-T Tourniquet
4. Quickclot or Celox Trauma Pack
5. Roll of Quickclot Combat Gauze
6. (2) 4″ Israeli Bandages
7. Pair of Surgical gloves
(An addition you can make if you wish is a Halo or Bolin chest seal for sucking chest wounds)
The HSGI Blowout Pouch is the most field practical pouch I have ever used..it will store all of the above easily and won’t take up alot of room, giving you more space for ammo.
That brings us to my final point. In Military TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) training, the very first response the instructors tell their students is required when a man gets hit is not to put pressure on the wound or to check their breathing, but FIRE SUPERIORITY. Maintaining a steady base of fire on your enemy will allow the movement needed to get the wounded man out of the kill box and into a space where he can be treated.
Understand, when a man goes down, either being killed or just wounded, you cannot push the pause or reset button..the enemy will not stop to allow you to treat your man; if anything he will try and exploit your subtraction in man (and fire) power.
The dynamics of operating in small units and caring for wounded under fire is not just a Military, LE or Private Security principle; it is a Civilian Operator principle. WHAT IF it is you and your family when the crap goes down? You and your friends? You and a group of total strangers in a mall? The variables are endless, but the reality is stark.
Build your Trauma Kit and Start your Medical Training NOW. There is nothing too complicated about this..I am not talking about doing field surgery here. You can easily get Paramedic or First Responder materials on the web, enough at least to get the basics of Trauma Medicine:
1. Stop Bleeding (coagulants/pressure/tourniquet)
2. Maintain Airway (clear throat of obstruction)
3. Reduce Shock (keep warm)
Understand the underlying principle of TRAUMA medicine is SPEED. The faster you can do these things and the faster you can get the man to proper medical attention, the better their chances of living.
Stay Dangerous.
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