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The Operator ALS/IFAK is designed to equip the individual operator with the Basic Life Support tools needed for immediate Self-Aid/Buddy-Aid. This Improved First Aid Kit is configured to address leading causes of preventable death due to penetrating injuries. The versatile ALS IFAK can be worn by the operator in one of three methods, drop down leg rig, attaché to the assault vest/body armour with MOLLE-style connecters or attached directly to the duty belt.







I carry mine in a drop leg molle IFAK pouch by Skedco, and a large GP MOLLE pouch by Blackhawk! for my ALS supplies.

The ALS/IFAK contains:

1 pair of trauma shears
6 sterile 4x4 gauze dressings
1 large and 1 small gauze roll dressings
1 roll 3M Durapore silk tape
1 roll 3M Transpore tape
2 Petrolatum gauze dressings
1 White Chemlight
1 Mini-Mag light
2 Pks small Steri strips
6 Band-aids
3 Betadine swabsticks
1 CAT one handed torniquet
1 75g packet of Quik-clot combat blood stopper




The ALS pouch contains:

1 Liter Lactated Ringers solution for IV infusion
1 gravity feed IV tubing set
1 18G IV catheter set for infiltration
10 alcohol swabs
2 3M Tegaderm waterproof dressings
1 rubber torniquet




The bandages can be used to dress wounds of mild to moderate degree alone or in the case of severe wounds, in tandem with the application of the Quik-clot. The CAT can also be used to stave the flow of blood fron veins and arteries until trauma care can be reached. A link to instructions for use of the CAT is posted below.

http://paramedictv.ems1.com/media/1518- ... -Tutorial/

The Quik-clot is to be used directly in wounds with uncontrolled bleeding.
1. Identify the source of the bleeding
2. If bleeding cannot be stopped using direct pressure on the wound tear open the QC packet and pour the contents directly onto the source of the bleeding
3. apply direct pressure to the wound for 3 minutes to allow the bloodstopper to clot the blood
4. drss the wound and get the subject to trauma care asap

Petrolatum gauze is to be used to stop sucking chest wounds of the chest cavity. A sucking chest wound occurs when a puncture into the pleural space (the area of the rib cage) allows air into an otherwise sealed space causing the pressure inside the pleura to rise to meet outside pressures. When this happens the lungs cannot inflate. The hole in the chest must be plugged to allow pressures to rise and fall in the pleura with motion of the diaphragm to allow the lungs to inspire and expire air. to do this:
1. Listen for a sucking sound as the subject tries to breathe, if they cannot breathe in they have a sucking chest wound.
2. Swab the area around the puncture with the betadine swab
3. open the petrolatum gauze and place it over the wound taping it on 3 sides
4. allow the subject to breathe, if they complain that breathing is becoming difficult, air may be building up in the pleura because of a pneumothorax
5. lift the untaped side of the gauze to allow the pressure to equalize
6. continue this until trauma care can be reached
7. If pressure cannot be equalized and there is a moderate amount of blood coming from the wound upon inspiration you may have a hemothorax

A hemothorax requires advanced support.

I carry lactated ringers solution because it is better at helping the body replace blood lost as a result of traumatic injury than saline solution, but either will work in the short term.

Every member of my team carries this kit even if they are not qualified to use one. If a team member is wounded I know they have the supplies with them for me or another combat medic to treat their wounds and bloodloss and increase survivability.