As experienced shooters, its easy to overlook the need for an IFAK. Most people who have been on the range for a while, and have never experienced an accident start to become victim of the normalcy bias. This thought process states that because something hasn’t happened to me in the past, it will never happen to me in the future.
Let us fill you in on a fun fact. 100% of accidents happen without warning. There is nothing to prevent you, or someone you’re with, from becoming the victim of an accident while on the range. If that unfortunate circumstance ever happens to you, you will want an IFAK and appropriate training to help you save a life.
Yes. Even an experienced shooter like you needs an IFAK.
What Do You Need in an IFAK?
Before we get into this section, here’s a killer video from Lifeline Warrior Medicine on building out a complete med bag.
An IFAK, or any true first-aid kit worth its salt, should prepare the user to deal with a variety of traumatic injuries. While most basic first-aid kits are designed to treat bumps and bruises, you generally want more than that. In a truly traumatic accident, there are a variety of life threatening injuries someone can sustain.
For that reason, a solid first-aid kit will give the user the ability to treat massive bleeding. It will also give the person conducting first-aid the ability to open an airway, and treat severe burns. If your first-aid kit gives you the ability to do those things, then it’s probably a safe bet for an emergency first-aid kit.
Make sure you check the contents section of any FAK before you make a purchase. If you’re a beginner, we suggest starting with our blog on building a basic blowout kit here.
The Range Medic from My Medic.
The Range Medic from My Medic was created with shooters in mind. The purpose of this first-aid kit is to provide the average shooter with options should they ever find themselves in a medical emergency on the range.
Both versions of the first-aid kit are small and lightweight. They are also both fully MOLLE compatible, allowing the user to easily store or attach them with existing range bags.
Contents of the Range Medic Basic.
The Range Medic Basic comes in a small zip up MOLLE pouch and the user can select the color they want before checking out. Inside of the pouch are the following contents.
- Dyna-Stopper x1
- Compressed Gauze x1
- Fabric Bandage | 1in. x 3.25in. x4
- Burn Gel | 3.5ml x1
- Advil® | 200mg x2
- Benadryl® | 25mg x2
- Tylenol® | 500mg x2
- Pepto-Bismol® | 262mg x2
- EMT Shears | 5.5in. x1
- Tweezers x1
- Nitrile Gloves | Large x1
- Lip Balm | 0.5g x1
- Sunscreen | 3.5g x1
- Hydrocortisone | 0.9g x1
- Triple Antibiotic | 0.9g x1
- White Petrolatum | 5g x1
- BZK Antiseptic x2
- Alcohol Prep Pads x2
- Saljet® Bullet Wound Wash | 30mL x 1
Contents of the Range Medic Advanced.
The Range Medic Advanced comes with everything mentioned above, but in a slightly larger medical pouch. While still MOLLE compatible, the advanced kit comes in an easy to open double zipper pouch. In addition to the items listed above, the following items are included.
- Chest Seal x1
- RATs Tourniquet x1
- QuikClot® | 3in. x 4ft. x1
- Emergency Trauma Dressing x1
- Liquid Skin® x1
- Sting & Bite Relief x1
Our Thoughts on the Range Medic.
My Medic’s Basic Range Medic bag comes complete with almost everything you need. The only addition we would make to the basic kit is including a tourniquet. With a cost of only $60, it makes no sense for you to not have at least one of these kits in your range bag.
Stepping it up one notch, the Advanced Range Medic kit has literally everything you need. In fact, this is the kit we’ve got in our range bag every single time we head out to shoot. At $150, you’re getting every dollar’s worth out of the advanced kit.
That said, no amount of medical equipment is going to save you in an emergency without proper training. When you choose to purchase one of these, you also need to ensure you seek the proper training to use the equipment inside. While guaze and bandages are pretty basic to use, some of the items inside of the kit require more knowledge for proper use.
If you’re seeking additional training, we recommend you view the programs below. They will expand your knowledge base, and cost you absolutely nothing. After you’ve acquired the knowledge, get with some friends and practice. Just like with the time you’re spending on the range with your rifle and handgun, you can’t improve just by watching some videos and reading a pamphlet.
Get out and train!
Where to Find Free Training for Your New IFAK.
In this space, training is crazy valuable. We’re talking about the difference between life and death as well, so having the training that will enable you to save a life is very important. There’s a myriad of free resources available on the internet. These range from video tutorials, to content creators who give outstanding advice for training yourself.
We highly recommend that you check out Plan2FirstAid.com as a starting point for your training. This is a completely free resource created by Readyman Media that covers a lot of the basics, and shows you how to conduct the training yourself. Give it a look, it only costs an e-mail address.
Saved Rounds on the My Medic Range Medic Bag.
Look, let’s be real here. If you don’t have an IFAK or some type of first-aid kit for the range, you’re doing this wrong. Injuries and accidents happen all of the time. You, as a person who exercises their right to carry a weapon, should also be someone who is trained and prepared to respond to a traumatic injury. It doesn’t matter where or how that injury occurs, you should be ready to treat the casualty. the My Medic Range Medic kit will fit your needs, either on the range, or as a vehicle first-aid kit.
That’s our opinion though. Let us know what your experience is with IFAKs and other first-aid kits down in the comments. Be honest with us, and yourself. Are you prepared to conduct first-aid on someone who has sustained a traumatic injury? What first-aid items do you carry with you every day?