My DIY Vehicle Mounted IFAK

So after the hours of pouring over the available pre-assembled IFAK and IFATK (Individual first aid & trauma kit) and their contents I decided to custom make my own pack with materials I would feel comfortable and safe practicing with in the eventuality that I need to use them in a real incident.

The ultimate IFAK item that is invaluable… BLS/CPR certification!

Question: “As a nurse what is in your first aid kit” Answer: “Nothing I don’t know how to use!”

Recently I was going through my IFAK and just checking supplies and expiration dates when I came accross povidine iodine and for the life of me I couldn’t think of one good reason to keep this in my kit or even why i bought it in the first place! Aside from using it to milk cows or in the operating room to steralize a surgical site I can’t think of any real world applications that I would use it! So I removed it from my kit!

The Bag I Chose

I chose the 3 compartment EMT rip away head rest mounting kit with some added alterations. In my previous post Basic vs Premium Trauma kits for your vehicles I shared the different available assembled IFAK kits. Now I am going to show you how I built my own.

Infityle Medical Pouch- Tactical Molle Rip-Away 1000D EMT Utility Pouches With Buckle and Strap

Pros:

Large ample packing space
The bag fully packed measures just around 5″ wide and opens and closes with ease and a little wiggle room to give a nice relax feel on the zipper.
Everything fits inside of the pouch so there is no need to buy extra accessory add on pouches for the tourniquet or your gloves.
Cons:
Cheap quality and feel, cheap free items that I didn’t end up using in the kit.
This is not a high end quality pouch
One of the interior containment straps broke while I was packing it that required some sewing to fix it.
The Velcrow feels cheap and the stitching is cheaply done.

Purchasing IFAK Supplies

I started buying things from Rescue Essentials online instead of Amazon which was anywhere from $1.00 to $5.00 over priced.

TIP:
#1. Shop your local medical supply store aka A-1 Medical Supply not Wall Greens or Walmart.
#2. Call ahead to the medical supply store and ask if they sell individual packaged items such as “individual alcohol wipes.” This will save you from buying bulk boxes of items you don’t need.

Paracord Handle
Thanks to Great Gadgets & Gear I got the great idea to place a quick release paracord on the handle instead of taking up precious interior space. Granted his weave looks nicer than mine! I also used my own stock of pills in my kit by using a variety pack of zip lock bags. Small bags can be purchased at local pharmacies, the dollar tree, local crafts stores such as Joann’s fabric, hobby lobby, and Michaels.

Vehicle Mounting

Update: I bought and installed a tactile headrest mount.

I purchased 3ft of 1″ Red Strap at Recreation Outlet and a package of 1″ buckle and sliders.

I sewed one end together with the buckle attached and then looped the other end of the strap through the remaining buckle and slider and weaved the excess through the Molle straps before securing it into the slider for the last time.

Now Let’s Build the IFAK!

Update 2021: after a few years of traveling with this kit I have added a Travel size sun screen, travel size flat pack magnify glass, charcoal pills

Zip Lock Baggies Assorted Sizes $5.99

MyMedic IFATK Pouch $25.00 (Free shipping)- Failed and returned-Too small

Infityle Medical Pouch – Tactical MOLLE Rip-Away 1000D EMT Utility Pouches With Buckle Strap, -Strap Broke but I fixed

Update 1/20/22: I have switched to using a thicker and better quality zip lock bag for my pills. These bags can be purchased at local natural grocers or check the pharmacy section of your local grocery store.

it.

My Kit Content
Purchased,Already Owned,Didn’t Include

[1] CAT/SOFT Medical Tourniquet 1.5″ 29.99
[1] Liquid Skin®
[1] Emergency Israeli Bandage | 4 in. $6.60
[1] Flat Gauze Roll | 3 in. x 12.3 ft.$1.99
[1] Compact Wound Seal ($11.99)
[4] Gauze Pad | 2 in. x 2 in.
[2] Gauze Sponges ($0.20)
[4] Gauze Pad | 4 in. x 4 in.
[4] Non-Adherent Gauze | Telfa | 3 in. x 4 in.($0.18)
[3] Secure Strips | 0.25 in. x 3 in.
[1] ABD Pad
[1] 10 mL NS sringe+needle tip for irrigation
[2] Skin Prep ($0.18)
[2] Waterproof Bandage | 2 in. x 4 in.
[4] Knuckle Bandage | 1.5 in. x 3 in.
[4] Antibacterial Fingertip Bandage | 1.75 in. x 2 in.
[4] Antibacterial Bandages | 1 in. x 3.25 in.

[2] Burn Jel® ($4.50 5 pack)
[1] WaterJel Burn Dressing | 4 in. x 4 in.($4.45)

[1] CPR Shield –Numed Airway $10.99
[1] HyVent | Compact Chest Seal $11.99
[1] Nasal Airway + Lube | 28 French $4.95

[1] Acti-Splint | Finger (or a Large tongue depresser)
[1] Elastic Bandage | Velcro | 2 in. x 5 ft.
[1] 36″ SAM Moldable Splint $12.95
[1] Coban

**I added pseudophed, daytime cold and flu medacine, tums, and charcol pills

[1] Oral I.V. 2oz $3.50
[2] Chlorine Tab (Decontaminates 0.5 gallons of water each) $5.99/ pack

[1] Survival Rescue Blanket
[1] Rescue Whistle
[4] 12 hour Lightstick ($0.99 each)
[1] Atwood 550 Paracord | 7 Strand | 20 ft. $1.45 (20ft)

**I added nail clippers, hand warmers, and an ice pack

I have since also made a mini stuff sack with gloves, and beanies for our vehicle.