Pocket Trauma Kit, IFAK for Bleeding Control, Vacuum Sealed with Tear Notches, Compact with SWATT Tourniquet and Z-Fold Dressing by Rescue Essentials

Good price and compact size.

This trauma kit gives you all of the basics you need to deal with hemorrhages/traumatic bleeding as well as a rudimentary occlusive dressing for chest wounds in about as small a package as you can get. The SWAT-T tourniquet can be used as a TQ or as a means to hold the z-pack gauze to a non-arterial bleed. The packaging for the kit along with the duct tape can be used as an occlusive chest dressing. It's certainly rudimentary but again the size means you can carry this when other, larger kits would be too obtrusive. For a police officer this is about the easiest IFAK or trauma kit one could carry while in uniform. Combine it with the Pocket Trauma Kit holster, made by the same company, and you have a kit you can easily strap to your uniform belt.

Managing expectations is the key here (as with most things). This was designed as a "small" *inexpensive* option for EDC (for officers specifically). It shouldn't have much of a problem handling a *single* GSW, but that's about it. That's all it was designed for. For multiple GSWs, pick the worse one and use it there until EMS arrives (or other officers with BoKs).Based on the picture I was expecting to be able to slide it into my back pocket for civilian EDC. I was disappointed to find that it is much thicker than it appears in the picture (hence my 4-star rating... mine measures just over 2" thick). That completely rules out on-body EDC for me, which is what I was looking for. It *could* be done with sufficiently baggy clothing and the belt holster that's also available for it. For on-duty use it would work just fine on a duty-belt (slightly larger/thicker than a handcuff pouch).As for the components...SWAT-T - There are several alternatives for tourniquets out there. The SWAT-T is a "rubber band style" tourniquet. They have their issues just as the more traditional CAT does (believe it or not, it's NOT perfect). The key is doing the proper research before purchasing. The advantages of the SWAT-T are its size, cost, simplicity and versatility. Size, cost and simplicity need no further explanation, but as far as versatility, the SWAT-T is not JUST a tourniquet. It can also be used as a standard pressure dressing (directly on top of the wound). There are other uses as well depending on your own creativity. The disadvantage is that it's easy to OVER-tighten the band and do more damage than good (possibly resulting in the unnecessary loss of the limb). TRAINING is important here. It CAN be done properly (and work every bit as well as a CAT) but be aware of that possibility. As with any tourniquet, it should NOT be the "knee jerk" reaction after a GSW. Many will NOT require a tourniquet at all - just direct pressure/elevation. Applying it (especially this style of tourniquet) when not needed *could* result in tissue and nerve damage, which *could* result in loss of the limb. Again. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING is critical.Z-Pack dressing - Great for wound-packing underneath the SWAT-T (used as a pressure dressing) or whatever else you want to use a z-pack dressing for. Nice and compact.Gloves - 'nuff said.Duct tape - Meh. I could do without this. Save some size. Or put another z-pack dressing or cling wrap in there.The only thing I would add would be a hemostatic dressing, but that would triple the cost. At least. And it would significantly reduce the shelf-life.Again, overall it works well for what it was designed for - an inexpensive, simple way to treat a single GSW. What you lose in versatility you gain in size. Better to carry this than nothing at all and there isn't really anything else out there for quite as cheap (in this size category).

Have 4 of these: one in the car, one at work, one at home, and one in my range bag. Just recently added a CATS to the range bag that is prepositioned so that I can apply the tourniquet on myself one-handed. Added a RATS to my car first aid kit.This kit is small enough to be carried on a belt, or stuffed into a book bag or briefcase or purse,or placed in a desk drawer. There are plenty of YouTube videos that show you how to use this.Bear in mind, this is not a first aid kit. It's a trauma kit for serious bleeding wounds- gunshots, car wrecks, industrial accidents, etc.

I have several of these. Some show up vacuum sealed and some are just sealed.

Keep this pocket med kit with you in case of emergencies. It has the basics you'll need (minus a tourniquet, which you should already have on you or with you) to treat major trauma like a gun shot wound or major bleeding. Fits perfectly in a pocket!

This is great. I have been a paramedic for 15 years, this kit has everything you need to stop bleeding in the field. Would it be better to apply a CAT tourniquet to a femoral injury, yes. But the recommendation for a penetrating femoral injury is to apply 2 or MORE CAT's in order to stop the bleeding. This kit is way smaller than carrying around 2 cats PLUS gauze. It would be nice if it could be made into a flat package to drop into a rear pants pocket, but nothing should detract you from paying $15 for a potential life saving IFAK for EDC or CCW or on duty carry.

better than being without one, i would get a small pouch and transfer the items there, it is a bit thick.