Training and cross loading is the best. If all your guys know the basics and have their own stuff you don't have to worry too much. Also talk to you CLS guys, make sure their checking on their guys, and they are carrying some of the minor boo boo stuff band aids, Motrin, ect ect. That will help keep people from bugging you all the time.
One of the things I've noticed is that we medics tend to grossly over pack. Do you really need that ENT kit for a ruck march? How about that IO injector/fast one, sure their all small and useful at times, but they add up and you get a heavy bag thats not much use, the majority of the time. Pack per mission, not for every possible mission.
Several medics I've known and talked with have tried to move away from relying on our aid bag. I keep mine stocked more like a aid station with only advanced stuff just in case and it stays with a vehicle or in a CCP, only carried unless all our gear is moving with us, and thats when you have cross load the heavy things like iv bags, and sacrifice some of your comfort gear.
I try to only carry what I'd really need on my person, just bleeding, and airway. However camel backs changed that a little, I have a large camel back, which leaves me really no need for canteens (bad habit, hard to gauge intake sucking through a straw) but I carry a few IV kits usually only a 500 with supplies, or a 1000 stuffed in my canteen pouches during the summer.
My drop leg kit right now has, (pretty basic,over sized IFAK)
3- CATS, 2 Israeli bandages,1 civilian israeli (smaller), 2 compressed Kerlix, 2 OPA's, 2 14GA needles, 3 Ashermans, 3 petroleum gauze, 2 NPS'a/lube, Some gloves, steri strips. In a pouch next to that I have Quick clot powder and sponge and more 'Z-pak' kerlix. With plenty of room for more. Haven't used it lately so its not stocked full.
Vest is empty at the moment but usually two bleeding pouches, with the same, just a few pre-made windlass's and cravats, and my airway kit has a little more in it face mask, ect..
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Unfortunately, I know the Kifaru will be a constant fight with whatever chodes are in my next CoC.
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I used a slightly modified SPEARS ruck at my last unit, the top compartment a big cls bag, and my molle 2 aid bag strapped to the back if I really needed it, never liked putting it in the ruck to hard to get out in a hurry. When they gave me trouble about it I just said it was issue, not to us there but the army does use it. Never made too big of a deal about it.
Also there are a few companys making inserts now, I have a camelback med insert that i use in my alice, its not the greatest you can keep some stuff in your ruck in one place and it easy to pull out even if its packed tight, hard getting back in though..
But really in the end, its not what you carry in your aid bag, its the training and experience that you carry, I've seen some medics do pretty creative stuff due to lack of supplies.
Hope that helps any, although I think I repeated a lot of what was already talked about.
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