On a now closed thread here in FAS, someone mentioned that unexperienced civvies like to carry around “battlefield FAKS”, and view their daily city walks as a battleground. I got a little irritated  at that statement, for the following reasons:

– i have freedom of choice to carry whatever i want. If i want to lug around a “battlefield FAK” in my EDC bag, that is my business. I have the common sense to know when, how to use it, and when to call in the “big boys”. (aka EMT/EMS/EHS whatever the acronym is in your local).

– One does NOT need to waste 911 resources for a simple cut, scrape etc. Yes, i always advise the person in need to go the clinic/family doc for follow up (there is that common sense thing again, its really funny eh?) :winkwink:

-99% of the people i see don’t carry EDC or a EDC FAK. Yet they sometimes require FA . Who better than your local EDC guy with his well stocked booboo kit to offer a gauze, band aid or sliver removal? :roof:

– I attend a lot of unorganized small gathering extreme sports events. I am equipped to treat their cuts scrapes and bruises. been doing it for years now

– I am SELF RELIANT. I do not feel the need like the rest of the people to rely on government types for anything. I take care of myself (and yes, if need be i will access the medical system, but 99.99999999% of the time i have ZERO need for outside gubmint interference). There is (in Canada at least) an extremely high percentage of people that call 911 and go to the ER for a little cut on their pinky). I am not one of those people.

– there may be a day where those 3 Israeli Bandages in the pack come in handy…our world is getting more violent, we are experiencing more shootings between gangs (crossfire injuries on bystanders), the streets are more dangerous (you area might be different, your milage might vary). Knife assualts are common here. I am prepared for those. Thats why its called EDC. Be Prepared. (besides, the form factor of Israeli bandages is great and simply put they work)

I am a civvie (gulldarn those lowlife civvies eh!  ) with basic industrial first aid (ticket expired, cant afford the $1500 renewal costs every two years), but i still have basic knowledge on how to apply First Aid. I am a trucker part time, and ROUTINELY come across persons requiring First Aid almost weekly while on the road or at various industrial waste sites. I carry a fully stocked kit, with extras of items that I use up frequently. (stuff like Israeli Bandages, 4×4 gauze, 3M transpore tape, stomach pads, 6″ roll gauze, nitrile gloves etc). Most of the FA i do is in the industrial setting, when I’m dumping garbage loads at transfer stations. You would be amazed at how many people injure themselves at dumps. I also EDC a massive FAK (Pelican 340 Cube Case + 1450 case Chainsaw Trauma Pak) in the truck when i’m tree cutting, (hell its more stocked for bleeding control that most battlefield ambulances). Running a saw in the woods is one of the most dangerous jobs out there, the injuries are horrific. I have treated other saw ops after mishap and pretty much blown thru the supplies in the chainsaw trauma kit.

So, in closing, this civvie EDC’er will carry what i want, when i want, where i want. I will always offer to help someone out if they need it, and will always advise they see their doctor/clinic afterwards. If need be i’ll call for a bus and send them to the ER.

but ultimately its my choice as to what i carry for a FAK and how i stock it. If i choose to forgo gauze rolls and 4×4’s for Israeli Bandages, thats my choice and my expense. I just like the  things for sheer ease of use and the fact that they pack nicely in my mag pouches and the fact that they are vacusealed (plus you can hand one to a bystander and they can use it without instruction).

I love my so called “battleground FAK” . More people should be self reliant and EDC a FAK (basic or the bad lowly “battleground” FAK

hopefully this wont get closed because of comments, dear god please keep the comments civil.