Tactical Medicine

[Frances Lawson]

QUESTION: How many WTA members on here carry any medical equipment on their duty belt or body armor, such as an IFAK (individual first aid kit), or even just a tourniquet when out in the field?
Hello WTA members,
As a board certified physician in Emergency Medicine with a growing interest in Tactical Medicine, I would like to get an idea of how many of you can initiate self care in the field if needed?
I recently completed a two week course in tactical medicine given by Lawrence Heiskell MD, known in Emergency Medicine circles as the "grandfather of Tactical Medicine". He puts on a great class that includes weapons manipulation, participating in active shooter SWAT scenarios, medical labs and informative lectures for the tactical medic. Last week at our graduation ceremony he was awarded the first board certificate given by the American College of Tactical Medicine. This is well established in the military but has yet to become mainstream in civilian law enforcement. It is on its way and will become the national standard.
I would like to help educate the men & women in law enforcement of basic medical care related to your specific type of work as well as answer general medical questions any of you may have. I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully opening up some informative conversations!

[Kim Heath]

I can wear an outer vest carrier, but can't put pouches on it, so I'm limited to what I can put in my pockets and around my ankles.  I carry a Tac Med Solutions SOF-T wide tourniquet in a neoprene "holster" around my ankle and a combat gauze in my cargo pocket.  My plate carrier has a pouch with another tourniquet, combat gauze, and israeli bandage.

[Karen Bartuch]

I carry a Leomedicus TRIK (Trauma Rapid Intervention Kit) in a molle pouch on my vest carrier. The kit contains:

• PVC sterile Nasopharyngeal Airway and Lubricant
• Trauma Shears (7")
• Medical Tape (1" x 30')
• Emergency Bandage (aka Israeli Bandage) (4")
• Large Nitrile Exam Gloves (2 pairs)
• Mylar Emergency Blanket (84" x 52")
• ABD Pad (15" x 9"

More info can be found here: http://medicaltactics.com/trik.php