Do you ever worry about self-reliance and your ability to deal with a medical emergency, especially in a back country location? Taking a basic first aid and CPR class is a great start but what I am really talking of is a higher level of training and preparedness. If you carry a gun for self-defense, or drive a car, hike in the back country or engage in any number of other risky activities, then this message is for you. The techniques and lessons from Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) protocols, or as I like to call it, last ditch medical, were born on the battlefield and have gradually made their way into American law enforcement and now into the civilian world in one form or another.
While it seems more common today to hear of folks carrying a tourniquet as part of their EDC, I have to wonder, how many have made a true effort to understand when and where a tourniquet, pressure bandage, and/or an occlusive dressing should be used. How many recognize those indicators as well as a few other potentially lifesaving protocols when it comes to an immediate emergency medical incident?
Enter Mountain Man Medical. Aside from providing excellent and well-designed medical kits, the company is going a step beyond. They do so by providing practical online training videos and even a quick mini-course (two hours) on the basics of emergency medical procedures which anyone can learn.
In the last few years, I have sought out and taken multiple emergency medical courses including becoming instructor certified in” Basic Tac Med” via the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). No matter what the course is titled, the basics are essentially the same. Most courses use the acronym “MARCH” when it comes to treating life threatening medical issues in an austere environment.
- M-Massive bleeding
- A-Airway
- R-Respirations
- C-Circulation
- H-Hypothermia
The training approach for emergency medical procedures and use of related gear is comparable at Mountain Man Medical. Brian “Doc” McLaughlin is the Director of Training and Product Development for the company. With a history in the military as a Combat Medic in addition to being a paramedic on the civilian side of life, the training videos you will find on the company’s website feature Brian, who has an extensive background in emergency medical procedures.
Let’s take a look at just a couple of product offerings available from Mountain Man Medical. First, The Basecamp. According to the company website, “the Basecamp Kit is designed to be a comprehensive trauma and first aid kit that is too big for the trail but ideal for the vehicle or campsite. A lot of backpackers, hikers, hunters, and outdoorsmen establish a base camp from which day hikes and excursions can embark.”
Recently I was able to get my hands out the Basecamp Kit and found it to be perfect for the stated purpose as company the company outlines. Too big to carry on the trail, but ideal as a go to emergency kit in any camp or vehicle. With major blood loss always cause for concern the Basecamp Kit provides more than adequate tools for such an emergency, including 2 CAT Tourniquets, 1 SWAT-T Tourniquet, 2 QuickClot Gauze Rolls (Hemostatic Bandages), and 1 OLAES 4″ Pressure Bandage.
Basecamp Kit components include:
- Two C-A-T North American Rescue Tourniquets WITH Soft Molle Tourniquet pouches designed to help you stage your tourniquets on the outside of the pouch.
- 1 SWAT-T Tourniquet from H&H Medical
- 1 OLAES 4″ Pressure Bandage from Tactical Medical Solutions
- 4 Pairs of Blue Nitrile Gloves
- 1 Pair of Compact Trauma Shears
- 2 Hyfin Compact Chest Seals from North American Rescue
- 1 Mini Permanent Black Marker
- 1 Mylar Rescue Blanket
- 1 Pre-lubricated NPA
- 2 Elastic Bandages with hook/loop self-closure (compare to ACE Wrap)
- 2 QuikClot Rolled Gauze (Hemostatic Bandages)
- 1 Dynarex Krinkle Compressed Gauze
- 1 Mountain Man Moldable Splint (Compare to SAM Splint)
- 1 North American Rescue 4″ Burntec Dressing
- 1 Triangle Bandage / Cravat
- 1 Roll of Cloth Medical Tape
- 1 First Aid Pack: 4 Packets Burn Cream, 4 Packets Triple Antibiotic Ointment, 8 tablets Ibuprofen, 8 tablets Acetaminophen, 2 Tablets Diphenhydramine, 2 Sting & Bite Wipes, 4 Antiseptic Wipes, 10 Adhesive bandages (compare to Band-aids) and 1 Pair of Tweezers
These components are packaged in the tough Ready Up Gear “Osprey” molle pouch. This durable pouch is 8 inches tall, 6 inches wide, at least 4 inches in depth, and includes additional organizational pockets. As with all kits from Mountain Man Medical it comes with a simple first-aid style patch attached via hook/loop to the exterior for fast identification. MSRP for the Basecamp is $239.99.
But what if your away from the basecamp or vehicle? Not to worry, Mountain Man Medical offers the perfect on the trail kit, known as the “Tracker”, This kit is both compact and lightweight weighing only 12.3 ounces. The front of the pouch features a velcro patch receiver and comes with a first aid identifying patch, and can easily be worn on the belt, attached to a vest or pack with compatible molle straps, or simply dropped into a day pack.
Components of the Tracker Kit include:
- SWAT-T Tourniquet (one of the most versatile tourniquets on the market) and can be used as a pressure wrap, for splinting and even a chest seal.
- Blue Nitrite Gloves
- Compact Trauma Shears
- Flat Fold Duct Tape
- Mylar Rescue Blanket
- Rolled QuickClot Gauze
- 2 Rolls of Standard Stretch Gauze
Dimensions of the Tracker are approximately 9 inches in height, 4 inches in width and 1 inch in depth. Additionally, there is room to add small customized items based on your needs. Weighing less than one pound there is no reason not to have this kit along every time you leave the house. MSRP for the Tracker is $70.00.
All gear from Mountain Man Medical comes from name brand and time-tested products as do both the Basecamp and the Tracker Kits. The company states “we believe in sourcing and providing to the customer existing name-brand proven products. With the number of companies currently manufacturing quality bandages, dressings, tourniquets, gauze, etc we made the decision early on as a company to not reinvent the wheel if we don’t have to.”
Because of this approach most Mountain Man Medical kit components are from highly regarded companies such as, H&H Medical, North American Rescue, QuickClot and, Tactical Medical Solutions, to name but a few.
Additional medical kits from Mountain Man Medical are listed below:
I am a firm believer in the emergency medical training concept, including the use of tourniquets, and highly recommend you get trained in this life saving knowledge. It could in fact save your life or that of a loved one someday. Don’t forget, part of having this knowledge is having the gear with you. Mountain Man Medical is a good place to start for that gear and training. Check them out at mountainmanmedical.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TERRY NELSON – is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement with police and sheriff agencies, including SWAT and sniper roles, and has served as a state game warden. Nelson also served seven years with New Mexico State Guard. A lifelong hunter, guide, tracker and firearms enthusiast, Terry is sought for training in multiple disciplines by both civilian and police-serving agencies and companies. Nelson also holds a Basic Tac Med instructor certification from Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
