Organizing and Ranking Medical Kits: A Complete Breakdown
Today, were diving into something critical: organizing and evaluating medical gear. Well look at a variety of medical kits, rank them based on usability, deployability, and mountability, and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each. Plus, we’ll add some exciting new options to the mix that might just simplify your choices going forward. Lets get started.
Why Reevaluate Medical Kits?
We’ve reviewed many medical kits in the past, but not in an organized or comparative manner. Today, we’ll rank these kits and include the new RTS IFAK kits, which offer three rapid-deploy options. Many IFAKs come as empty pouches requiring you to source your own medical supplies, or they’re fully stocked but poorly organized. The RTS kits aim to simplify this by being ready-to-go, mountable, and easy to deploy.
Ranking the Kits
B Tier
- Wilder Tactical Medical Pouch
- Pros: Includes a good basic medical kit and mounts securely.
- Cons: Large, bulky, and doesn’t disconnect easily from a belt setup.
- HRT Medical Pouch
- Pros: My favorite for ease of mounting and deploying. Well-organized.
- Cons: Does not include medical supplies, requiring additional sourcing.
- My Medic Pouch
- Pros: Includes quality medical supplies, well-organized.
- Cons: The included RATs tourniquet isn’t ideal, and the pouch is too large for regular carry.
C Tier
- Tacticon Armament Medical Kit
- Pros: Mounts well and includes medical gear.
- Cons: Poor quality medical supplies. Upgrading the contents would elevate this kit significantly.
A Tier
- Agilite MD2
- Pros: Compact, organized with an internal tray, and allows you to buy all components directly. Easy to mount.
- Cons: Rigid construction makes it harder to fit larger kits inside.
Spotlight: The RTS IFAK Lineup
RTS IFAK Mini
This compact option is perfect for the range or everyday carry. Highlights include:
- Tourniquet Storage: Comes with a CAT 5 tourniquet, pre-staged for rapid deployment.
- Elastic Outer Sleeve: Adapts to different pouch sizes and secures contents.
- Mounting Versatility: Half-MOLLE slots and belt-pass-through options for civilian or tactical setups.
- Interior Features: Organized pull tabs for easy identification, space for personal information like blood type, and a bungee system for secure yet adaptable storage.
Placement: A Tier for its portability, quality contents, and user-friendly design.
RTS IFAK Complete
A step up in size and utility, this kit includes all the essentials and more:
- Contents: CAT 5 tourniquet, Israeli bandage, QuickClot, chest seals, gloves, CPR mask, and more.
- Deployment: Pull-tab system for rapid access to all items.
- Versatility: Great for belts, carriers, or standalone use in a range bag.
Placement: S Tier for its comprehensive setup and practicality.
RTS IFAK OG
The largest option, designed as a standalone or vehicle-mounted kit:
- Contents: Similar to the Complete kit but with additional space for extras.
- Mounting Options: MOLLE tabs and a belt-pass-through slot.
- Cons: Bulkier size and inability to easily detach or hand off the kit.
Placement: B Tier due to size limitations and higher cost, but excellent for car or travel use.
Key Takeaways
Each kit has strengths and trade-offs, but the RTS lineup stands out for combining quality components with thoughtful design. The Mini and Complete kits are especially versatile, offering options for a range of use cases.
Final Tips:
- Stage Your Tourniquets: Ensure they’re prepped for quick use.
- Train with Your Kit: Familiarize yourself with every component to build muscle memory and confidence.
- Do Your Research: Don’t rely solely on reviews. Find what works best for your needs.
Use code TLDco for discounts on RTS products, and let us know your thoughts in the comments. If you’ve got a medical background, we’d love to hear your recommendations too.
Stay safe, and see you next time!