Jim Morrissey, a tactical medical program director, former FBI SWAT tactical paramedic, and an internationally recognized expert in response to active shooter incidents, published an article in EMS1 called What's in Your Tactical Medical Kit, detailing essential supplies carried by tactical medics / SWAT medics. Two Rescue Essentials kits were spotlighted as great options for tactical medic kits, including our 5.11 UCR SlingPack Active Shooter Response Kit and our Stop the Bleed kits.
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| 5.11 UCR SlingPack Active Shooter Response Kit | Stop the Bleed Module - Advanced |
| View Active Shooter Kit Details >> | View Stop the Bleed Kit Details >> |
Essential tactical medical supplies
Morrissey outlines a variety of essential medical supply categories and components that are essentials for tactical medics but are applicable and appropriate for many basic first aid kits as well. Rescue Essentials is a great one-stop shop for all of these components, including:
PPE - Personal Protective Equipment
PPE is important to keep responders safe while treating patients and casualties, including gloves, masks and eye protection.
Patient Assessment Tools
Take vitals for a baseline standard to be able to monitor a patient and whether they are improving or need escalated levels of care. These tools include items such as a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, thermometer and CO2 monitor.
Major Trauma Supplies
Major trauma is often life threatening and requires rapid response. Be prepared with essential trauma supplies like tourniquets (preferably CoTCCC recommended such as the CAT, SAM XT, or SOF tourniquets), hemostatic gauze or dressing (such as QuikClot or Celox), pressure bandages (such as Israeli Bandages or Emergency Trauma Dressings), chest seals (such as the Hyfin Vented Chest Seal or SAM Chest Seal), and medic reinforcement tape.
Airway / Breathing Management
Maintaining oxygen flow is vital to a positive patient outcome. Be prepared to manage airway complications with items such as oral airways, naso airways, a pocket mask, manual suction device, pocket BVM (bag valve mask), and chest decompression needles.
Other medical kit supplies
Many additional supplies can make stressful situations easier. These basics are handy for just about any first aid kit and should be evaluated for the tradeoff between a value add and weight/size constraints for your particular mission. Basic first aid items that can save the day include OTC medications, minor wound care such as band-aids and antibiotic wipes, blister treatment supplies, wound cleaning kits, tools such as tweezers, forceps, bandage scissors, EMT shears, eye care supplies, orthopedic supplies such as a SAM splints, tape, ace wraps, or triangle bandages, and cold packs.
Patient Transport System / Evacuation System
In most field situations, the goal is to stabilize a patient as much as possible and then get them OUT to a hospital or more advanced care location. Basic evacuation supplies can make that much easier, including a soft litter (such as a QuikLitter), or more rigid stretcher such as the SKED Basic Rescue System.
Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK)
In addition to the team supplies that a tactical medic may carry, often individual SWAT team members carry an IFAK (or Individual First Aid Kit), meant to be kept close at hand and treat severe, life threatening injuries on the spot. These can be carried on a vest, along with additional tourniquets for rapid response. Anyone carrying an IFAK should be trained to use each component in their first aid kit for the most effective response.
Many Rescue Essentials IFAKs contain the essential supplies outlined by CoTCCC guidelines such as:
- Tourniquets (CAT, SAM XT, SOF)
- Hemostatic gauze
- Pressure dressing
- Airway supplies (nasos, OPA, pocket mask)
- Chest seals
- Decompression needle
- EMT shears
- PPE (gloves, etc.)
- Additional gauze
- Personal care items if appropriate
Rescue Essentials offers the widest range of tactical medic supplies, from tourniquets and hemostatics, to minor wound care, OTC medications, diagnostic tools, evacuation devices. We have designed many purpose-built IFAKs and medical kits for a range of needs but we are also equipped to help you build your custom kit in a wide variety tactical medic bags and pouches to fit your individual needs.
Popular Tactical Medical Kits
Large Tactical Medic Kits
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| Active Shooter Event Casualty Response Kit | Rescue Essentials TEMS Responder Kit | 1033 ASR Sling Kit |
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Tactical IFAKs
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| TCCC IFAK | Mini Rip-Away IFAK | EMT Rip-Away Lite Operator Kit |
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Popular Tactical Medical Bags
Tactical Medical Packs |  |  |
| Paratus Tactical Medical Pack | 5.11 UCR Slingpack | Rescue Task Force RTF Responder Vest |
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Tactical Medical Pouches
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| Rip-Away Compact IFAK Pouch, Gen 2 | Flat IFAK Pouch | Slim Tear Off Medical Pouch (S.T.O.M.P.) Gen 2 |
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