What is an IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit)?

A common question we’re asked –  what is an IFAK? In short, it’s an acronym for Individual First Aid Kit.

The IFAK was created to be personal issue trauma kit designed to deal with medical emergencies in high-risk environments. Today the Individual First Aid Kits are commonly issued to military personnel who can use the medical equipment to treat both themselves and others around them should the worst happen.

The majority of IFAK kits contain the essentials to manage haemorrhage control and other trauma injuries.

Starting from early 2003, an IFAK became standard issue for military personnel. As part of the deployment strategy for the Individual First Aid Kits, the kit was standardised which lead to a significant reduction in the number of preventable deaths – from 7.8% to 2.6% in 2011. 

Although the Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) was originally created for the battlefield; it has evolved into much more. That being said, this is far from your standard first aid kit which commonly includes a handful of plasters and a pair of gloves.

The IFAK is designed to be the ultimate personal trauma kit that can treat significant injuries such as catastrophic blood loss.

You don’t have to be a soldier to carry an IFAK. 

It’s not just in conflict zones that you’ll find Individual First Aid Kits. Over the past 20 years, IFAK’s have evolved and are now frequently found in other high-risk environments. 

This includes those working in remote environments, tree surgeons, HGV drivers, farmers and many more.  Having an IFAK is an essential for those at risk of unexpected traumatic injuries.