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My first introduction to the Individual First Aid Kit, also known as an IFAK, was in basic training. Immediately I understood combat medicine to be the most important aspect of a soldier’s training— one may not even be in combat to need to apply first aid to themselves or their battle buddy. Since then I continued my training through many drills and FTXs (field training exercises), as well as completing the Combat Life Saver (CLS) course. Falling back on my personal knowledge and preferences in the field, as well as notes from combat medics in Ukraine, I’ve put together the most complete IFAK possible, one that has gotten glowing praise from soldiers that received them.
If you don't read any further, just know that an IFAK is something the soldier has to train with and know by heart. Regardless of who put it together, the owner needs to take it apart to the last detail and memorize every component, its location, and when to use what. In high adrenaline situations— especially with small arms fire and artillery landing all around— the use of one’s IFAK needs to be muscle memory. If you have components you like to add or have a strong reason to remove something from this setup please comment below so this can be developed and perfected.
IFAK components are broken down into four categories described in detail below: the mini-first aid kit, homeostatic (blood stopping) components, other trauma aid, and miscellaneous items. Following this list is the cost breakdown of each component and where to find it.
The mini first-aid pouch is mainly for the soldier’s own comfort. Many of the items are “just in case” because it’s easier to add a few extra pieces that a soldier can toss if they know they won’t be needed, rather than regret not having them to begin with. This is the part of my IFAK I’ve used the most in my own training since it consists of almost everyday medicine that’s always needed in the field:
Assortment of Band-Aids: 6 regular, 2 medium, and 2 large.
Preferred material is tough fabric that seals all around the gauze pad
6 butterfly closures
I‘ve gotten large gashes in the past that needed a little help staying closed overnight. A seemingly minor piece but one I regretted not having in the moment
5 antibacterial ointment packets
Individually sealed for easy and quick use, take up less space than a tube of ointment. Only thing worse than having a blister on your heel the size of your heel is then that blister being infected. I also used this on burns when the gauze was irritating the wound too much
4 blister (hydro-seal) Band-Aids: 2 small, 2 large
For anyone who’s ever gotten blisters and had to continue walking, you know how uncomfortable they get. Two sizes to cover anything from the entire heel to the corner of a toe.
I prefer these to moleskin and other blister treatments since they can be used on other wounds and stay on better and longer than anything else I’ve tried
4 Advil tablet packets
Any individually wrapped painkiller/inflammation and fever reducer works. I use Advil since it’s been the easiest for me to find; choose between gel capsules (quick acting) or dual action ibuprofen/acetaminophen tablets (broader range). If nothing else, include pain killers in your IFAKs. I’ve shared these with my soldiers when they got heat exhaustion, fever in the field, sprained their ankles, and to help with a variety of other ailments.
Homeostatic components is a category where all blood-stopping materials are listed. Unlike the mini first-aid pouch, these materials aren’t necessarily kept together in the IFAK; this is just how I organized this description.
QuikClot Combat Gauze
Gauze infused with homeostatic chemicals that clot the blood faster, used for larger and heavy bleeding wounds. Some medics prefer not to use this except in extreme circumstances in case it makes operating on the individual harder (some blood clotting agents need to be cut out, making the wound larger). I always include this as a “just in case” you never want to be caught without.
Packaging: specifically the combat gauze packaging is extremely necessary. While commercial QuikClot has mostly the same chemical make-up, opening and packing the wound is much easier with the combat edition (again, think high adrenaline and fighting going on all around).
Trauma dressing// Israeli bandage// Emergency Trauma Dressing (ETD), 4 inch
An item that gets called many different things and has several substitutes. My personal favorite is the ETD from North American Rescue. It got rid of the clasps seen in older Israeli bandages but is still just as secure for the wound.
Pros: package became smaller and easier to pack into an IFAK, and is easier to use in high stress situations where you can lose finger dexterity due to injury or adrenaline/shock. Cons: new item soldiers need to be trained on, and some medics do maintain that the clasp was better for applying pressure to the wound.
4 inch size so it actually fits in an IFAK. Other sizes are more specialized for combat medics and would go in their medic bag, rather than a soldier’s individual kit.
Compressed Gauze, S or Z folded
Again, packaging matters! It will simplify use and expedite application, and every second is a better shot at survival. Always choose special compressed gauze over other rolled commercially available materials. The North American Rescue Z-fold gauze has an X-Ray visible strip (huge help to medics fixing soldiers after combat), otherwise I have no real preference between the two.
Gauze assortment, available at Walmart.
After immediate combat first aid a soldier may need to be stabilized further or re-bandaged while waiting for medical evacuation (med-evac). Rather important “just in case” items because you never know how many medical supplies a given unit will have in a given situation. Example applications listed with each item
2 Gauze pads, 4x4 inch. Can be applied on burns or as additional bandaging material
2 Surgical dressings, extra large 5x9 inch. For larger wounds or to be cut up as needed
Rolled gauze, for wrapping wounds after initial combat care
Other Trauma Aid- burn care, chest wounds, breathing assistance. All items listed here are absolutely necessary for a complete IFAK
HyFin Vented Chest Seal, pack of 2
A pack of two is standard issue and should not be separated! This is in case of an entry and exit wounds in which case you will need both. Chest seals are used in penetrating chest trauma from neck to navel and prevent air from entering the chest cavity (collapsed lung is bad). A vented chest seal allows for air and blood inside the cavity to escape out while not allowing any air to flow back in.
Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)
Used to support the nasal route so a patient can continue breathing in case they become unconscious and the tongue slides back and obstructs the airway. This is a soft rubber tube inserted through the nose of the patient by someone with appropriate training (combat medic!)
Pneumothorax decompression needle
If air or fluid is trapped in the chest cavity it does not allow for the lungs to inflate all the way, leading to the patient struggling to breathe. A large bore needle is inserted into the chest cavity to allow for the air to escape. This should only be done by a trained professional but is imperative for the soldier to have! Tension pneumothorax is one of the leading causes of battlefield deaths.
BurnTec 5x5in (12x12cm)
Between artillery, fires, exploding military equipment, and burning fields of wheat, there are plenty of ways to burn yourself. Many have heard of russia using phosphorous bombs to target civilians and military personnel. This BurnTec dressing was a special request by a combat medic that reviewed my IFAK, and I have included it in every single one since.
Miscellaneous items- tape, survival blanket, shears, and everything else a soldier may need to help save a life
Survival// thermal// emergency blanket
Seemingly a minor item, the survival blanket has also been specifically requested by combat medics. These help to keep a patient warm by reflecting up to 90% of body heat. The last thing you need is for a patient to get hypothermia due to shock and blood loss, not to mention possible inclement weather. This also has many other creative uses, such as a signaling tool and possibly even a sling
Various tapes and wraps
Self-adhesive wrap. Only sticks to itself but is great at keeping things in place. Clean application, easy to remove and stays on securely; especially great for re-bandaging wounds after initial care
Medical tape- the tape typically included in a medical kit. Can be written on, has adhesive on one side, typically white.
Duct tape- because when have you not needed some in the field! Great for securing wounds or prisoners of war
Black marker, miniature
When a tourniquet is applied, the time and date of application must be written on it so medics know when it must be removed or reapplied. A mini marker takes up insignificant space and is always useful not just for medicine
Nitrile gloves
To protect the individual giving first aid from getting an infection or infecting the wound themselves. Non-latex gloves proffered in case someone has a latex allergy
EMT Shears
Used to safely and quickly cut away clothing and equipment obstructing clear access to a given wound
Seatbelt Cutter
More of a “luxury item” I like to provide with every first aid kit I send. This can sometimes be used instead of the shears or to cut virtually any strap or cord without running the risk of stabbing someone. Compact and mountable to any MOLLE system. Ideally the soldier will keep this on their person instead of inside the IFAK
The tables below list all the items and the average price I pay for each. I do get certain discounts from suppliers like North American Rescue so the price you would normally see may not match what I have listed below. For example a tourniquet is usually $30.00 while I have it listed for $22.11.
Basic items required for each IFAK: $129.44
$22.11 each | $44.22 | |
$34.98 w. Z Fold | $34.98 | |
IFAK MOLLE pouch | Rip-Away EMT Pouch | $13.69 |
Twin pack | $11.43 | |
14 GA, 3.25" | $7.47 | |
Size 28F, w. lube | $4.25 | |
5x5" (12x12cm) | $4.17 | |
ETD, 4" MINI | $3.00 | |
Large, 7-1/4" | $2.98 | |
S-Rolled, 4.5" by 4.1yd | $1.89 | |
52x84" | $0.80 | |
$13.98/pack of 100 | $0.56 | |
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Suggested additions to ensure ease of use and wide applicability of the IFAK: $30.20
"Strap Cutter" black | $25.00 | |
2" by 100" | $1.48 | |
$5.78/ pack of 5 | $1.16 | |
$12.99/ pack of 12 | $1.08 | |
$3.88/ pack of 12 | $0.65 | |
$10.99/pack of 24 | $0.46 | |
$4.62/ pack of 25 | $0.37 |
Mini-first aid kit: $7.63
$4.68/ pack of 6 | $1.56 | |
$9.74/ pack of 20 | $0.97 | |
$20.56/ pack of 24 | $0.86 | |
$20.31/ pack of 100 | $0.81 | |
$15.24/ pack of 144 | $0.76 | |
$3.79/ pack of 10 | $0.76 | |
$14.99/ pack of 144 | $0.75 | |
$3.27/ pack of 10 | $0.65 | |
$1.52/ pack of 12 | $0.51 |
If all of the above items are included, the total cost of one IFAK comes out to $167.27. This does not include the cost of shipping, taxes, or the cost to deliver to Ukraine. As you can see, shopping around for the smaller items like gauze and bandaids can save some money, but the bulk cost comes from the really necessary items such as tourniquets and combat gauze. In a life-or-death situation money cannot be a negotiating point.
Due to time constraints and supply chain issues some items get left out occasionally. If, for example, the Gerber seatbelt cutter is out of stock-- like it is at the time of writing this article-- the IFAK is still fully equipped for field use and will get shipped without one. If the item in question is on the "required items" list and either will not arrive for weeks or is completely out of stock I get in touch with the future recipient and verify that they are okay not having the component. One of my orders of decompression needles and NPAs was arriving a month late, so I was instructed to send the IFAKs as is since the soldiers could not wait that long for all the other life saving components.
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