In various other venues I have written about the need for every police officer and soldier to have available to them the immediate potentially life-saving supplies required to control severe blood loss. Deaths due to extremity wounds in the war zones; the need to treat wounded survivors at spree shooting events (VA Tech as the example); the rural deputy who waits for help after surviving a shooting; these are examples of times when proper medical supplies ON the person could save a life. This week's review is of another product that contains such supplies: the Battle Pack from Tactical Medical Packs.
I have previously reviewed some of the products from Tactical Medical Packs and was impressed with their Tac-Pack and Tac-Pack QC (same as Tac-Pack but added in Quick Clot). Where the Tac-Pack was perfect sized to be fit into a suit coat interior pocket, or to put several of them in a police officer's utility blue's cargo pocket, the Battle Pack adds in more supplies and is sized (thanks to the vacuum sealing) to fit in the cargo pocket of ACUs (or similar).
The Battle Pack (Option 2) contains all of the following:
- Latex-Free Gloves
- Compression Bandage
- TK-4 One Handed Tourniquet
- Chest Seal
- Combat Medic Pre-Cut Rolled Duct Tape
- 50gr. Quick-Clot.
- Compressed Gauze 4.1 yds
- Medical 5.25" Scissors
- Nasopharyngeal Airway w/Lubricant
- 10 Gauge Angio-Catheter
Now I'd be the first to admit that my level of first-aid delivery training is insufficient for two of those items. I wouldn't know how to handle or use the Nasopharyngeal Airway nor the Angio-Catheter. So why should I have them? I shouldn't (in my opinion). That's why I have a Battle Pack OPTION 1. It has all the same components minus those two things that the large majority of us don't have the training to use.
The test Battle Pack Option 1 that I have measured 7" long by 5.5" wide by 2" thick. It fits perfectly in a large utility pouch as manufactured by most companies that make MOLLE / STRIKE or similar mounting system pouches. For those among us who like to read directions while under the stress of treating a wounded comrade, detail principal or other individual, there are directions on the back of the packaging of the Battle Pack. Paraphrased they say to don your protective gear first and to try direct pressure to control bleeding. If that fails then try the Quick Clot. If that fails then use the tourniquet. That's pretty simple and everything you need to attempt all three are in the pack.
The test pack I received had a stamped expiration date of MAY 2011. Since I got it early this year that means an approximate 3-year shelf life. When you look at the list of items the ones you probably shouldn't use after that expiration date are... well, just the Quick Clot. Everything else should be good until it gets damaged - at least in the Option 1 pack. In the Option 2 you probably don't want to use the Airway because of the age of the lubricant?
Now while the Tac-Pack had an MSRP of $39.50, the Battle Pack is a bit costlier - but it's better stocked as well. The Option 1 price is $104.95 while the Option 2 runs $129.95. That's right off the Tactical Medical Packs website. A Google search for "Tactical Battle Pack" found me Option 1 for $94.46 and Option 2 for $116.96 so shop around and see what you can find.
If you wear a uniform and go into a working environment where there's a chance you'll be stabbed, shot, etc it only makes sense to have a pack such as this immediately available. Don't stuff it under the spair tire of your cruiser. Don't stick it in the door pocket and forget about it. Don't put it in your glove compartment and then bury it under McDonald's napkins. Make it something you put into your cargo pocket every day, day in and day out. Put it in your seat organizer where you can easily reach it. Put it in a pouch on your quick response vest so you have first-aid supplies when you run into that school shooting. Just do what you have to NOT to be caught without needed medical supplies.
Stay Safe!
