Every week, we sit down and look at different aspects of the concealed carry realm, but medical is often something that goes without much coverage. Some of you may disagree, but being in a situation where someone may need medical help is much greater than being in a self-defense situation. Whether it’s witnessing a bad car collision or having an unfortunate accident, things happen. Having the proper equipment as well as knowledge is incredibly important when emergencies occur. I know some will argue that medical products are too big or bulky for everyday carry, but there are plenty of classes and products out there to help the everyday civilian be better prepared for a stressful situation. Let’s dive into a few different ways to be more prepared in a medical emergency.

How To Carry Medical Gear On You

There are countless amount of products available on the market to carry medical equipment easier. Products like the Ryker Nylon Gear AFAK (Ankle First Aid Kit) let users carry a fully stocked first aid kit on the ankle which looks like a back-up gun holster. There are a number of different ways to carry on your body but for daily use, I find it extremely bulky. I know a number of people that insist on carrying medical equipment on their person daily, but for the majority of people, this isn’t a realistic expectation.

In the past, I’ve tried carrying various medical gear on my person and it seems rather bulky. For the majority of people, it’ll be much easier to carry in a bag or vehicle. Carrying medical gear in your daily backpack or bag is a simple way to be more prepared without making daily life more difficult. Various companies like Dark Angel Medical and North American Rescue make sealed packs for daily use that are incredibly compact while offering a number of life-saving tools.

What’s Important To Carry

Medical gear is dependent on what your daily activities are and what you may need to use in an emergency. There are a few different pieces that are vital to have when carrying medical gear. Most concealed carry kits will be vacuum sealed so you’re not tempted to use them unless it’s an absolute emergency. When looking for a kit or making your own, it’s important to have a few of these essential items. The first thing I would pick up would be a North American Rescue tourniquet.

Once, I witnessed a motorcyclist get side swiped and his leg was crushed in between his bike and the car. His leg was nearly severed and we immediately put a tourniquet onto his leg while the ambulance was on its way. Of course, the ambulance came and put a much better tourniquet on him, but our initial efforts helped him slow the bleeding from his severed leg.

Another great thing to have is gauze dressing or trauma dressing to pack a wound if there’s a self-defense situation where you or someone else has heavy bleeding. Quick Clot is another option but important to understand how everything works before attempting to use it. The only other thing I would put into a basic kit would be a pair of gloves to throw on before trying to help someone. There are enough diseases from HIV to Hepatitis in various forms to be considerate about protecting yourself before attempting to help others.

Take A Medical Course

One thing I always tell people when they start carrying a handgun concealed is to take a medical class explaining how to help others after the gunfire stops. Having the skills to help people in a medical emergency isn’t just a benefit for carrying a concealed gun, but it gives you the skills to be a better human in society. Taking something like the Dark Angel Direct Response Medical Class will not only teach you how to properly treat someone in an immediate medical emergency but it will also put you under stress to help prepare what it could be in the real world. It’s a great training tool and I urge everyone to take a medical course if possible.

Overall Thoughts

Like I said earlier, the fun part about carrying a concealed firearm is being able to pick out various guns and gear, but having medical knowledge is extremely valuable as a concealed carrier and as a helpful member of society. There are a ton of companies that offer medical kits ready to go in sealed packages. It’s never a bad idea to throw in everyday items like band aids and stuff for minor cuts, but having a sealed package with medical gear in case of an emergency is a great tool to have. Being able to help in an emergency can mean the difference between life and death, whether it’s a car accident or self-defense shooting.

If you ignore everything else in this article, I strongly suggest that you guys pick up an advanced shooting course with medical included or a half-day medical course to understand exactly what to do. It may just end up saving someone’s life down the road. Let me know what you guys think about carrying medical gear on you in the comments below. If you have any questions about concealed carrying or gear, in general, don’t be afraid to reach out to me on my Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there.

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