In an emergency, you can provide first aid to either yourself or others if you have everything you need in your Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK). Your individual first aid kit (IFAK) must be packed with specific tools in a specific manner for it to be most beneficial to you. This is done to avoid sifting through non-essential gear, which could delay treatment that could save a life. Keep in mind that the contents of the IFAK are selected to treat the most prevalent injuries that result in death in combat. Injuries like bleeding and inadequate passageways for air.
When you are packing your IFAK, ask yourself the following questions.
- You should ask yourself this question before packing the IFAK: “Do I hope never to use this?” If the response is positive, it should be included in the IFAK.
- The second question is, “Am I familiar with how to make use of this?” If the answer is “no,” you should not allow a tool you cannot use to take up your kit space. Do not use a tool that you are so familiar with that, if utilized, can cause you more harm. Obtain the necessary training for each item you will be carrying.
Please take into consideration that the only patient for your IFAK is yourself. You alone are the one who requires it. If you do this, you may be assured that if you have an injury, you will always have access to one in a location that is known to you. If it is your friend who is hurt, you should use the first aid package that belongs to your other friend on them. Make sure that the location where you keep your IFAK can be reached with both hands and is visible to anyone who might come to your assistance.
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