I do quite a bit of traveling. You can find me hiking up mountains and cycling through jungles. It is exhilarating, but it is also dangerous. Fortunately, I never travel alone. Most of my companions have some first aid training, and I always thought that, regardless of the situation we encountered, that training would serve us.
And that has always been the case. However, the last time one of my traveling companions took a tumble down a steep slope, things went wrong.
I still had my experience, but the first aid kits failed me. It had somehow fallen away from my bike.
We found it later on, but it was ripped open. Some items were missing. Others were damp. We managed to get by with our limited supplies, but I started researching alternatives for the next trip. This is how I came across the IFAK pouches.
The term stands for ‘Individual First Aid Kit.’ I was drawn to these IFAK pouches because they were assigned to military doctors for use on the battlefield.
This told me that the Best IFAK pouches had to be tough. So after days of trolling online survival stores. I finally stumbled upon my favorite of the bunch on Amazon.
The Best IFAK Of 2024, The Good, Bad And The Decent.
The Maxpedition FR-1, a rugged water-resistant pouch with YKK zippers, military-grade nylon webbing, and paracord adjusters, to mention but a few.But that was just the start. I found that the IFAK market was quite wide-ranging.
These are just a few of the best individual first aid supplies pouches I discovered:
Condor Rip Away EMT
Our rating 4.7 out of 5
4.7 stars is up their with our best
- Several pockets and elastic loops that simplify organization
- Wide handle simplifies transportation
- Platform strap prevents the pouch from falling off
- Pouch is reinforced
- Rugged and well-designed
Pro’s
- Several pockets and elastic loops that simplify organization
- Wide handle simplifies transportation
- Platform strap prevents the pouch from falling off
- Pouch is reinforced
- Rugged and well-designed
Con’s
- Bulky when full
- Poor quality zippers
- No cover flap or shoulder strap
Bottomline
The Condor Rip Away emt has a careful design that allows you to rip it away from the modular platform. Besides the strap that will keep the platform from accidentally falling off, the tri-fold structure gives you all the pockets you need to keep your items in proper order.
It has durable stitching at all the corners and edges that enhances its durability.
Maxpedition FR-1
Our rating 4.5 out of 5
4.5 stars and another decent offering
Pro’s
- Triple coat of polyurethane is water-resistant
- Final Coat of DuPont Teflon protects against the elements
- Features sturdy YKK Zippers and slides
- Durable buckles and features fire superiority
- Straps and handles feature military-grade nylon webbing
Con’s
- No molle straps on this body pouch
- A little pricey
- Covering on the handle strap and the plastic D rings for the shoulder strap add unnecessary weight.
Bottomline
This is a sturdy pouch with plenty of room for your essentials. It is designed to simplify access and organization and boasting panels of 1000 Denier nylon, the pouch is resistant to water and the elements.
It versatile and home to paracord adjusters that you can use to open it from various angles.
HSGI Improved Bleeder Modular Pouch
Our rating 4.6 out of 5
4.6 stars another Venchas favourite
Pro’s
- Provides immediate access to medical kit shears
- Trauma shears are secured by a strap and snap
- You can remove contents with one hand
- Uses durable military use 1000 Denier Cordura nylon
- Lifetime Warranty
Con’s
- Challenging to take items out when the pouch is full
- This medical pouch is to small to comfortably house items like a chest seal
- Molle attachment system is thin plastic
Bottomline
Despite being smaller than some people would like, this is a high-quality pouch with a separate compartment for trauma shears.
Suitable for military personnel, law enforcement, and private citizens, the pouch promises comfort and versatility.
I personally find this IFAK to be fine to store anything from pain relief, burn gel, gauze pads and isopropyl alcohol.
Orca Tactical MOLLE EMT IFAK Pouch
Our rating 4.7 out of 5
4.7 stars is really really good
Pro’s
- Spacious enough for even duct tape rolls and my favourite nitrile gloves
- The 600D polyester material is suitable for harsh conditions
- The Molle pouch is double-stitched to increase durability
- The YKK zippers used here are rust-resistant
- The pouch is scratch and water-resistant
Con’s
- The pouch has one large pocket. It doesn’t support proper organization
- A carry handle is missing at the top
- Smaller closure bar than expected
Bottomline
This is a durable medical emergency pouch that is suitable for hiking and camping. It has a single pocket on the inside, a solid shoulder strap, tight elastic straps, and a small, lightweight frame that makes the pouch easy to carry and transport.
It is made from sturdy material and reinforced to survive difficult settings. If you don’t like what you see, the product comes with a 100 percent money-back guarantee.
Reebow Gear Tactical Molle EMT Pouch
Our rating 4.5 out of 5
4.5 stars and fast becoming a community favourite
Pro’s
- It is made from waterproof fabric and tension pneumothorax
- It has sturdy double stitching that enhances durability
- It comes with a free first aid supplies kits patch
- You can attach other patches
Con’s
- Zippers could be better and the shoulder straps have been known to catch on occasion
Bottomline
Despite its small exterior size, this squad medics kit has plenty of space on the inside. Surprisingly affordable, sturdy, waterproof, and double-stitched, you can expose the pouch to tough situations without worrying that it will unravel.
It has straps that you can use to attach it to a bag, belt, a car seat, basically anything that suits you.
Tactical 511 Unisex UCR Pouch
Our rating 4.6 out of 5
4.6 stars doesnt dissapoint
Pro’s
- The pouch is 100 percent nylon
- You can attach it to your car’s headrest
- The N1050D material is durable
- Light-colored interior simplifies compartment identification
- Bungie tie-downs enhance stability and provide easy access
Con’s
- The pouch is expensive
- Somewhat small and similar awkward chest seals to the Survivewear
Bottomline
Please note use our article as a reference guide. We implore you to check the products personally as we always suggest to never cut corners when it comes to medical gear.
Despite its relatively small size, this is a versatile pouch that can hold its fair share of medical items. It has compartments on the inside and outside.
The outside can hold objects like flashlights. You also have pockets in the middle that can house smaller components. Organization is easy. The same goes for access.
Surviveware Small First Aid Kit
Our rating 4.8 out of 5
4.8 stars is solid
Pro’s
- Our winner for best trauma ifak kit
- The pouch uses durable 600D polyester
- The ripstop material is designed to prevent tears from spreading
- The fabric is water-resistant
- Inner sleeves have labels that specify function
Con’s
- The tourniquet included is low quality
- Small and chest seals can be finniky
Bottomline
This kit is lightweight. It has every item you might need to save the life of anyone that suffers an injury.
It has D-rings, a Molle webbing system, snaps, and adjustable straps that you can use to hang it on hooks, adhere it to a bike seat, and attach it to a larger bag.
The 600D polyester will keep your medical essentials safe and dry.
How to Choose the Best IFAK Pouch?
To buy the perfect IFAK pouch for your needs, you should keep the following in mind:
1. Material
The durability of your kit is going to depend on its material. Many of the best models are made from nylon and polyester. The key is the denier.
The higher the denier rating, the stronger the material, the more durable the pouch.
2. Water
The best kits are water-resistant. You should look for this feature in every pouch you buy. If an IFAK pouch is water-resistant, you can trust it to keep your medical supplies safe and sound, no matter the weather conditions.
3. Size
The size of the pouch should match your needs. IFAK pouches are supposed to be small and portable. At the same time, they should be spacious enough on the inside to accommodate all the items you want to store.
4. Warranty
You should prioritize kits that have attractive warranties and guarantees. You need to know that you can return your pouch if it fails to meet your expectations.
What are the Benefits of IFAKs?
In many ways, an IFAK pouch is no different from an ordinary first aid kit or an EMT pouch. What sets it apart is the fact that it is designed to work as a trauma ifak kit.
You can contend with threats like exsanguination and hypothermia that typically kill people while they wait for the first responder to arrive. An IFAK gives a civilian the tools they need to handle these fatal threats, especially if they have the training.
What is the best way to use IFAKs?
A basic IFAK trauma kit should have gloves, pressure dressing, tourniquet, combat gauze, ibuprofen, penlight, and permanent marker, to mention but a few.
Because it is designed to prevent injured people from bleeding out, you need some training from a skilled professional to use it appropriately.
Tips for using IFAKs
To buy the perfect IFAK pouch for your needs, you should keep the following in mind:
- Get your kit in the right size. It should be small enough to carry but big enough to hold all your medical supplies.
- Keep the kit in a cool environment where it is less likely to attract fungus and bacteria.
- Keep your IFAKs neat and organized so that you can access every item you need in an emergency quickly and easily.
- Remember to refill and replace the contents of your kit whenever you use them. Otherwise, you might open it during an emergency only to find that some critical elements are missing.
Wrapping up
If you have to choose one of the best IFAK pouches, make sure to check out our winner which is the Surviveware small First Aid Kit. It is reliable, made from 600D polyester, light enough to carry with ease but also spacious.
The fabric is resistant to water, so it can keep your medical supplies safe and dry. The molle webbing straps and snaps enable you to attach the pouch to your bag or belt.
This pouch is suitable for every purpose you can imagine. Click here to see the Surviveware small First Aid Kit on Amazon com.
