IFAK Component Deep-Dive: Specs, NSN, and Replacement Criteria
12 min reading time
3–5
Minutes for arterial hemorrhage to become fatal without tourniquet
87%
Combat tourniquet survival rate when applied correctly (CoTCCC data)
5 yr
Standard shelf life for TCCC consumables in sealed packaging
ViTAC Tactical IFAK — every component verified to CoTCCC standard. [Hero image placeholder — replace with photorealistic kit-open shot per Image Brief]
Most IFAK guides tell you what components to buy. This one tells you why those specific components, what they do at the cellular level, and what specs separate the gear that works under load from the gear that fails. If you have ever wondered what makes a CAT Gen 7 different from a $15 windlass tourniquet, or why kaolin matters in hemostatic gauze, this is the reference.
This post is a companion to two earlier guides: What Is an IFAK covers the category overview; The Civilian IFAK covers the buyer's-guide angle. This one goes one level deeper — component specs, mechanisms of action, and the distinguishing technical features.
The MARCH Framework: Why Component Order Matters
Components in a TCCC-compliant IFAK map to the MARCH framework: Massive Hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, Hypothermia. The order is not arbitrary — it reflects the time-to-death sequence for traumatic injury. Massive hemorrhage kills in 3–5 minutes. Airway obstruction kills in 5–10 minutes. Tension pneumothorax can kill in 15–30. Hypothermia is hours but compounds every other priority.
Pack the kit in MARCH order. Train interventions in MARCH order. When the call comes, your hand finds the tourniquet first — because that is what kills first.— Justin McAllister, ViTAC Solutions
Massive Hemorrhage (M)
Tourniquet — CAT Gen 7
The CAT Gen 7 Combat Application Tourniquet is the CoTCCC-recommended commercial tourniquet, alongside the SOFTT-W. The mechanism: a windlass rod twisted to mechanically compress the limb, occluding arterial blood flow above the wound. Specs that matter:
Width: 1.5 inches — wide enough to occlude without crushing nerves at minimum effective pressure
Windlass material: reinforced composite, rated to over 800 lb-force without failure
Application time: under 30 seconds with training; one-handed self-application is the design baseline
Indication: arterial bleeding from extremities; place 2–3 inches above the wound, never on a joint
Combat record: over 4,000 applications since 2005 with documented survival rates above 87% when applied correctly
The CAT and SOFTT-W are the only two windlass tourniquets currently CoTCCC-recommended. Counterfeits, off-brand windlass tourniquets, and strap-only devices without windlass mechanisms fail under arterial pressure. They are not substitutes.
QuikClot Combat Gauze Z-Fold is the CoTCCC-recommended hemostatic dressing, in continuous use across all U.S. military branches since April 2008. Mechanism of action: kaolin (an inert clay mineral) impregnated into the gauze activates Factor XII in the body's intrinsic coagulation cascade, accelerating clot formation without generating heat and without introducing animal or human proteins.
Compression time: 3 minutes of sustained direct pressure after packing
Clotting acceleration: up to 5x faster than plain compressed gauze
Shelf life: 5 years from manufacture in sealed foil pouch
NSN: 6510-01-562-3325 (carried by all U.S. military branches)
X-ray detectable strip built into the gauze for surgical recovery
Indication: compressible wounds a tourniquet cannot reach — junctional bleeds (groin, axilla, neck), deep extremity wounds, torso wounds with survivable bleeding source
Off-brand gauze without kaolin does not perform the same. The kaolin chemistry is the active ingredient. Verify before purchase. The hemostatics collection covers verified options.
An ETD overwraps wound packing to maintain compression hands-free. Specs that matter:
Pressure bar: integrated plastic bar that, when reversed, applies and locks direct compression
Sterile pad: typically 6" x 8" non-adherent pad attached to the elastic wrap
Self-securing closure: hook or pressure-clip — no separate tape required
Application time: under 60 seconds for trained users
Airway (A)
Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)
The NPA is a soft, flexible tube inserted through a nostril and advanced into the posterior pharynx, holding the tongue clear of the airway in unresponsive casualties. The airway naturally occludes when the tongue falls back — the NPA keeps it open. Specs:
Adult workhorse size: 28 French (28F)
Lubricant: water-based packet included; insertion without lubricant causes mucosal damage
Material: medical-grade soft polymer; rigid NPAs are obsolete and contraindicated
Indication: unresponsive casualty with respiratory effort but at risk of obstruction; not for conscious patients (triggers gag reflex)
The 28F NPA (4-Pack) covers standard adult sizing and multi-kit stocking.
Respiration (R)
Vented Chest Seals — Paired
Penetrating thoracic trauma creates two simultaneous risks: air entering the chest cavity (pneumothorax) and the wound becoming a one-way valve that builds intrathoracic pressure (tension pneumothorax — fatal in 15–30 minutes). Vented chest seals address both. The one-way silicone valve allows trapped air to escape on exhalation while preventing re-entry on inhalation.
Specs:
Paired application: always seal both entry and exit wounds; missing the exit wound defeats the intervention
Adhesive: military-grade hydrogel, designed to bond to bloody and sweaty skin
Vent design: one-way silicone valve; non-vented seals are no longer the CoTCCC standard for penetrating thoracic trauma
Shelf life: 5 years from manufacture in sealed pouch
Indication: any penetrating wound to the torso between the navel and the base of the neck
High-velocity penetrating trauma almost always produces an exit wound, often larger than the entry. Sealing only the entry wound leaves the exit wound drawing air on inhalation. Standard sweep: expose the chest fully, look front, sides, and back, feel for additional wounds, seal both before moving on. Two seals per kit is the minimum for a reason.
Trauma patients lose core temperature aggressively — blood loss reduces metabolic heat production, exposure accelerates conductive loss, and shock impairs thermoregulation. Hypothermia under 35°C compounds bleeding through the lethal triad: hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy. Mortality roughly doubles. The Mylar blanket reflects radiant body heat and reduces convective loss. Specs:
Material: aluminized polyester film, typically 12–20 microns thick
Folded size: roughly the size of a deck of cards; weighs under 2 oz
Deployed size: 52" x 84" or larger for full adult coverage
Indication: deploy on every serious trauma casualty regardless of ambient temperature — the Hypothermia leg of MARCH is not optional
Supporting Tools
Trauma Shears
Blunt-tip stainless steel shears for cutting through clothing, seatbelts, and gear without injuring the patient. The blunt tip is non-negotiable — sharp-tipped scissors lacerate skin under the material being cut. Standard sizing: 7.5 inches with serrated lower blade. Stage at the top of the kit.
Nitrile Gloves
Body Substance Isolation. Latex gloves are obsolete for first response due to allergy risk. Two pair minimum per kit — the first pair is often contaminated or torn during the initial intervention.
Permanent Marker
Tourniquet application time gets written on the casualty's forehead or tourniquet strap in clear digits (e.g. "TQ 14:32"). EMS and trauma surgeons need that timestamp to assess limb viability and determine reperfusion timing. An unknown application time removes critical decision data from the receiving team.
Component Specifications Quick-Reference
Component
Standard / NSN
Shelf Life
Replace After
CAT Gen 7 tourniquet
CoTCCC-recommended
No formal expiration; degrades with use
Any deployment (real or training); visible windlass wear
QuikClot Combat Gauze
NSN 6510-01-562-3325
5 years from manufacture
Expiration date or any pouch damage
Vented chest seal (paired)
CoTCCC-aligned
5 years from manufacture
Expiration date or pouch seal compromised
Pressure dressing (ETD)
FDA Class II
5 years from manufacture
Expiration date
NPA (28F)
FDA Class II
3–5 years from manufacture
Expiration date or lubricant integrity
Mylar blanket
No formal standard
Indefinite if sealed
Visible damage to packaging or material
FAQ
Why does the CAT Gen 7 cost more than other windlass tourniquets?
Authentic CAT Gen 7 tourniquets are manufactured by North American Rescue under strict QA/QC. Counterfeits fail strap stitching, windlass strength, or buckle retention under load — sometimes during the initial twist, sometimes after first use. Authenticity verification is built into the packaging. Buy from authorized distributors only.
Can I substitute a tampon for hemostatic gauze?
No. Tampons are designed for slow, low-pressure menstrual flow. They are not pressure-rated, not hemostatic, not absorbent enough at arterial pressures, and packing them into a wound delays the application of actual hemostatic gauze. Use the gear designed for the task.
Are non-vented chest seals still acceptable?
Vented chest seals are the current CoTCCC-aligned standard for penetrating thoracic trauma. Non-vented seals can seal a wound but provide no pressure relief against tension pneumothorax — the casualty must be manually "burped" to release trapped air, which is unreliable under stress. New IFAK builds should use vented seals.
What NPA size fits adults?
28 French (28F) is the workhorse for adult civilians. Field sizing rule: the NPA tip should reach from the nostril to the earlobe along the side of the face when held externally before insertion. Larger casualties may need 30F or 32F; smaller adults may take 26F.
Justin McAllister is a veteran and founder of ViTAC Solutions. Every kit ViTAC sells is configured to the CoTCCC and TCCC standards he trained to in the military. Component specs in this guide are verified against current CoTCCC recommendations.
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Domestic Shipping (USA - Lower 48 Only) Orders are processed within 24 hours and typically ship within 1–2 business days. Once shipped, delivery takes an estimated 3–7 days, with most orders arriving in just 5 days. Please Note: We currently do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or international destinations. Questions? Contact us anytime at support@vitacsolutions.com or call 307-202-8426.
In Stock
Domestic Shipping (USA - Lower 48 Only) Orders are processed within 24 hours and typically ship within 1–2 business days. Once shipped, delivery takes an estimated 3–7 days, with most orders arriving in just 5 days. Please Note: We currently do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or international destinations. Questions? Contact us anytime at support@vitacsolutions.com or call 307-202-8426.
In Stock
Domestic Shipping (USA - Lower 48 Only) Orders are processed within 24 hours and typically ship within 1–2 business days. Once shipped, delivery takes an estimated 3–7 days, with most orders arriving in just 5 days. Please Note: We currently do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or international destinations. Questions? Contact us anytime at support@vitacsolutions.com or call 307-202-8426.
In Stock
Domestic Shipping (USA - Lower 48 Only) Orders are processed within 24 hours and typically ship within 1–2 business days. Once shipped, delivery takes an estimated 3–7 days, with most orders arriving in just 5 days. Please Note: We currently do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or international destinations. Questions? Contact us anytime at support@vitacsolutions.com or call 307-202-8426.
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We've been downrange. We know what it costs to be unprepared. ViTAC was built by U.S. Army Special Operations veterans to make sure the people who run toward the threat — and the families who depend on them — have gear that works when everything is on the line.
— ViTAC Solutions Founders | 40+ years combined Special Operations experience
Good quality products. The free items were also nice. Great med kit for alot of travel situations
Thank you for the 5-star review. We’re glad the med kit and added items delivered value and that it’s serving you well for travel. Stay prepared and safe out there.
The item was as promised. Everything in the kit was high-quality and I’m pleased with that. The only problem I have is I’m not sure it’s worth the cost. I found all of the contents individually for significantly less money. The only thing I didn’t find on my own was the pouch everything came in and that was a perfect fit so I would give it an A plus on quality, but a C on value.
Thank you for the honest feedback. We’re glad the kit quality and pouch met the mark. We understand your point on value, our pricing reflects not only the components, but careful sourcing, organization, and readiness in one dependable setup. We appreciate your support.
D
First Responder Trauma Care Medical Bag | Fully Stocked EMT Kit Daniel L. (United States)
Excellent choice for a one-stop, well-stocked trauma bag
This is a great kit if you're looking for a higher-level bag. The individual pieces are good quality and it packs tightly--that's good but it doesn't leave a ton of room if you want to add anything.
Hi Daniel, thanks for highlighting the quality and compact design of our trauma bag. We’re committed to providing reliable, high-level first aid solutions that keep you prepared. We appreciate your support!
