[pjbluetogreen]

Like MtnGoat and The Reaper stated the best medicine is superior firepower and to do that you need mags at the ready. I would only carry extra TCCC on my kit to augment my med bag.[/QUOTE]

This is so true. To many medics want all their equipment on their body armor. What you carry on you is to augment and support your primary aid bag. If anyone out there is trying to replace the aid bag with a pouch on their kit STOP and think back to TCCC and the Care Under Fire if you are able to approach a PT in this phase you use their IFAK before you go into you kit for anything. I personally carry an IFAK that is beefed up to allow me to do some TX while in a MCI or traige situation also I keep 4-6 CATs on my armor and 1 on the Stock of my rifle for fast access in care under fire (one thing to remember is that all TQs that are exposed to the sun and elements need to me replaced every few weeks due to UV damage that makes them un-useable). Its purpose is to treat only immediate life threats then move on to your next patient. Then when the situation is secure you are able to get into your aid bag and treat more PTs more definitely.

The open clam shell type pouch is what I personally prefer because you can see all of you equipment when you open it. I also like the rip off type so that if I am prone or need to place it further on my side or back for a mission I am able to pull it off and get access to it.

When I am in a Helo or truck or any type I have my aid bags* set up so that I have quick access to everything I could need out of your kit.
As a PJ I would fly with 3 bags, I had my primary ruck for use in MCI or long ground missions, and M-9 bag for "Down the Hoist" or DA type missions and a trauma panel hung on the bag wall or OX tank in a HH-60. Between the bags that I kept in the A/C I would never need to get in to my medic pouch while not on the ground. and when I used stuff out of it is was always able to restock it from another source while still on a mission. For convoy work the teams we did the same thing with 3 bags except the bags would be put in to different vehicles so that if one was taken out of commission the other vehicles would still have needed medical equipment.

I am not saying that this is the only way of doing things but its a way that worked well for me as a PJ.

Ammo, and Comms were never an issue, Medical issues always take a back seat to the fire fight that is happening at a given time. I also carried 4 mags on my chest rig and 2 more on first line belt.