Utilization and Characteristics of the Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) Operational Casualty Care Course IFAK Training LCDR Fermin S. Godinez Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Department of Emergency Medicine

Learning Objectives Terminal Learning Objective Enabling Learning Objectives

Old New 1-Eye Patch Dressing 1-Battle Dressing with Tie Ends 1-Bottle of Iodine Water Purification Tablets 1-Bottle of Wound Disinfectant 1-Lip Balm 2-Cravat’s 10-Adhesive Bandages New 1-Packet of Adsorbent Hemostatic Agent (QuikClot) 1-Package of Burn Gel (Water-Jel) 1-Bottle of Iodine Water Purification Tablets 1-Bottle of Wound Disinfectant 1-Tourniquet 2-Pressure Dressings 2-Bulky Gauze Rolls 10-Adhesive Bandages 5-Large Adhesive Bandages 2-Triangle Bandages

Trauma Kit Trauma kit to be used only for major bleeding wounds only.

Minor Injury First Aid Kit To be used for minor injures, cuts, burns, and bruises

Components and Characteristics 1-Packet Adsorbent Hemostatic Agent Granular mineral powder Sterile Stops high volume venous and arterial bleeding through rapid absorption of liquid Clot remains in the wound until removed by medical personnel Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved

Components and Characteristics (Cont) 1-Package 4”x16” Sterile Burn Dressing (Water-Jel) Extinguishes white phosphorous burns Cools burn area Reduces chance for hypothermia Prevents burn from further progression Protects against infection and eases pain FDA approved Do not use for other than intended use The gel combines ingredients that are safe, biodegradable, bacteriostatic and water soluble and is saturated into a unique woven material. When Water-Jel is applied to a burn, it immediately: Eases Pain Helps to prevent Burn Progression by Removing Excess Heat Protects Against Contamination and Infection Cools the Burn Area by Heat Transference reducing risk of Hypothermia Lowers and Stabilizes Skin Temperature Will stop White Phosphorous (WP) burning Do not use for other than intended use.

Components and Characteristics (Cont) 1-Bottle of Iodine Water Purification Tablets To purify non potable water for consumption After handling the tablets, wash hands thoroughly. If eyes come in contact with the tablets or residue, it could cause temporary blindness

Components and Characteristics (Cont) 1-Bottle of Wound Disinfectant Betadine solution Cleansing of Minor Wounds

Components and Characteristics (Cont) 1-Tourniquet One Handed Use Use on arterial and venous blood For Moderate to Severe Bleeding only For use on Extremities only One-handed tourniquet made to stop arterial blood flow quickly and efficiently. Tourni-Kwik features a strong elastic latex band with two steel s-hooks fastened to it, making it easy to use yet durable enough for even the most traumatic injuries. It’s simple yet intuitive design is perfect for use by the individual in front line combat environments, easily applied with one hand. Injuries can be administered to immediately, stopping the blood loss and trauma an individual experiences while enabling him to survive until proper medical attention arrives. It is developed and engineered specifically for combat self-help: full one-handed application, quick and direct. Tourni-Kwik is packaged in a compact vacuum-sealed poly-plastic bag, ensuring long shelf life and providing easy storage. Simplicity and effectiveness are the characteristics which make Tourni-Kwik the tourniquet of choice for the individual in the field.

Components and Characteristics (Cont) 2-Pressure Dressings Vacuum Packed 8” x 10” Absorbent Pad 4” Wide elastic wrap with Velcro strip on both ends Coated Steel tension hook for individual application Cinch Tight, the new universal combat compression bandage specifically designed for ease of use and one hand operation by self-help/buddy-help/Corpsman. Available with an 8” x 10” absorbent pad, the Cinch Tight is packaged to be small enough to be carried anywhere, rugged enough for even the most extreme environments, sterile and ready for immediate use with a minimum amount of training

Components and Characteristics (Cont) 2-Bulky Gauze Rolls Gauze roll Absorbent Material 10-Adhesive Bandages Crinkle Cotton Fluff Bandage Rolls (Gauze rolls) are used for protection of minor wounds and to hold the water jel burn dressing in place. Also, used for direct pressure of medium and severe wounds and to wipe away excess blood prior to the application of QuikClot Hemostatic agent. Band-Aids are utilized for minor scrapes and cuts.

Components and Characteristics (Cont) 2 Non-Sterile Triangular Bandages - 40” × 40” × 56”

Life Saving Steps Restore the Breathing Stop the Bleeding Treat for Shock Protect the Wound

Treating Minor to Moderate Wounds Stop the bleeding Remove clothing from wound (If Necessary) DO NOT remove penetrating objects from wound Remove pressure dressing from IFAK

Treating Minor to Moderate Wounds (Cont) The size of the wound dictates whether the wings of the pressure dressing are folded in.

Treating Minor to Moderate Wounds (Cont) Place absorbent pad over wound Wrap the elastic wrap around the limb and anchor the Velcro strip Note If there is a protruding object from the wound, pack gauze around object and secure. The elastic wrap is wrapped over the gauze and around the object

Treating Minor to Moderate Wounds (Cont) Feed elastic wrap through the tension hook. Pull elastic through tension hook and reverse the direction of the wrap to secure the bandage in place

Treating Minor to Moderate Wounds (Cont) Continue wrapping the elastic bandage around the wound. Once you have reached the end of the elastic wrap, rotate it to secure the Velcro strip to the wrap.

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds Cut clothing from area Locating the pressure point in the groin, apply pressure to slow or stop the bleeding from the wound

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds (Cont) Pack wound with the gauze roll Place absorbent pad of the pressure dressing over gauze and wound

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds (Cont) Wrap wound as previously explained in the Minor to Moderate Wound section Monitor wound for excessive blood loss. If bleeding continues, apply direct pressure to pressure dressing and pressure points for 5-10 minutes.

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds (Cont) If the bleeding has stopped, splint the leg, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds (Cont) If the bleeding continues, as a last resort remove tourniquet from the first aid kit.

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds (Cont) Apply tourniquet 2 to 4 inches above wound, so that tourniquet is between wound and heart Wrap tourniquet once around

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds (Cont) Run end through hook and pull in opposite direction Continue to wrap until bleeding stops and secure with other s-hook

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds (Cont) Remove pressure dressing and gauze from wound.

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds (Cont) Wipe up excess blood with gauze Pour hemostatic agent into the wound immediately wiping any excess that falls onto surrounding tissue

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds (Cont) Hemostatic Agent Caution and Warnings CAUTION – Extreme heat WARNING – Sterility Dust Ingestion Storage

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds (Cont) Pack wound with the gauze roll Place absorbent pad of the pressure dressing over gauze and wound

Treating Moderate to Severe Wounds (Cont) Splint the leg, mark casualty with time and date the tourniquet was applied and seek medical attention. Do not remove tourniquet

Treatment for Burns Evaluate type of burn Apply burn dressing to burned area If needed, cut burn dressing to fit burned area

Treatment for Burns (Cont) Wrap gauze loosely around hand to secure burn dressing Leave approx 6”-8” of gauze overhang. Cut down center until there are two tails to secure dressing.

Treatment for Burns (Cont) Wrap tails in opposite directions Using a square knot tie tails to secure dressing Monitor the casualty for signs of hypothermia and/or dehydration

Questions?