Setting Up Your IFAK: Key Contents, Placement & Staging Tips

Every day, emergencies catch thousands of people unaware. In many cases, they become life-threatening situations. However, while you can’t predict what will happen when, having the right gear ready can make a major difference in how you weather an emergency, whether it is a range or hunting accident or vehicle collision. Setting up your IFAK is an easy way to be prepared for this situation.

Your IFAK setup is one of the most important things you can carry, especially in high-risk professions, training environments, or self-defense contexts. But your IFAK contents isn’t based solely on what’s inside. How you stage, mount, and maintain it directly affects your ability to respond when seconds count.

An important note: this article offers general guidance for setting up your IFAK based on tactical and preparedness best practices. It shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. Always get professional medical training (like a Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) or Stop the Bleed course) to use yours effectively and safely.

With that said, let’s break down how to set up an IFAK that’s organized and ready when you need it most.

IFAK Basics: What It Is & Why Setup Matters

So, what is an IFAK? An individual first aid kit is a compact, mission-specific medical kit designed to treat life-threatening injuries in the field. It’s not your average first aid kit, either. Instead, this one is built specifically for trauma, bleeding control, and airway management. Your IFAK should contain only what you can use under stress and what’s most likely to save a life before professional help arrives.

The right setup matters because fumbling for gear wastes precious seconds. A poorly staged kit can turn what should be a lifesaving resource into a frustrating jumble of supplies. When you understand what an IFAK is and how to organize it, you can confidently respond to emergencies without hesitation.

If you’re wondering how an IFAK differs from other medical kits, check out this guide on the difference between IFAK and AFAK for a deeper look at each type’s purpose and contents.

Core IFAK Contents by M.A.R.C.H. Priority

The best way to organize your IFAK contents list is by following the M.A.R.C.H. algorithm (a military-developed acronym that helps prioritize life-saving interventions):

• M – Massive Hemorrhage
• A – Airway
• R – Respiration
• C – Circulation
• H – Hypothermia/Head Injury

By structuring your IFAK kit contents by M.A.R.C.H. priority, you’ll make sure that the most important tools are easy to find and ready for rapid deployment.

IFAK Contents List:

• Tourniquet(s)
• Hemostatic gauze
• Pressure bandage
• Chest seals
• NPA + lube (if trained)
• Gloves, trauma shears, tape, elastic wrap
• Emergency blanket
• Marker + TCCC card

Only carry and use medical tools that fit your training and local laws. Some items may be restricted or require specific certifications.

Massive Hemorrhage: Tourniquet, Hemostatic Gauze, Pressure Bandage

Severe bleeding is one of the most common preventable causes of death in trauma. In these situations, your first priority is stopping the bleed.

Every IFAK should include at least one tourniquet, hemostatic gauze, and a pressure bandage for controlling major bleeding from limbs or junctional areas. Our Bleed Control Kit is a good, pre-assembled option that includes everything in a compact package.

Always stage your tourniquet for one-handed access and practice tourniquet placement regularly. Hemostatic gauze (treated with clot-promoting agents) should be packed into deep wounds, followed by pressure bandaging for sustained compression.

Airway: NPA & Adjacent Tools

Once you’ve got the bleeding controlled, the next priority is making sure there’s a clear airway. Including a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) and lubricant in your IFAK can be life-saving when someone can’t maintain their own airway.

For civilian carriers, NPAs should only be used by those trained. If you’re not yet trained, consider keeping the NPA packaged and ready while you schedule a TCCC or trauma-care class to learn how to deploy it safely. If you’re not sure how to use one, don’t - choosing the right size, inserting correctly, and recognizing when not to use one are skills that come only from hands-on training

Respiration: Chest Seals & When Needle Decompression Is Appropriate

Chest injuries can quickly become deadly if air is trapped in the chest cavity. Chest seals are important for treating penetrating chest wounds and preventing a collapsed lung. Self-adhesive occlusive dressings should be applied immediately to “sucking chest wounds.”

Needle decompression is another intervention associated with this stage, but is an advance medical tool only to be performed by trained EMS/medic individuals. Again, if you’re not trained, don’t try to use one.

Circulation/Shock: Packing, Wraps, Gloves, Tape

After addressing respiration, the focus moves to maintaining circulation and preventing shock. Your IFAK should include:

• Trauma shears for cutting clothing or gear
• Medical gloves for infection control
• Elastic wrap or compression bandages
• Medical tape for securing dressings or gear

All of these help stabilize wounds and support circulation while you monitor for signs of shock. Keeping your gloves near the top of your kit will help make sure that you can protect yourself and others immediately.

Hypothermia/Head Injury: Thermal Blanket, Marker, TCCC Card

Even in warm weather, trauma patients can quickly develop hypothermia, especially with blood loss and wet clothing. A compact emergency blanket (foil-style survival blanket) should always be included in your kit to maintain body temperature, and keeping a layer between the patient and the ground with a jacket or blanket can also help.

Also include a TCCC card and a permanent marker to record when the tourniquet was applied, injuries treated, or any medications. This information is very important for first responders to have when they arrive.

Pouch Placement: Where to Carry Your IFAK

Where you mount your IFAK is nearly as important as what’s inside it. You should be able to reach it with either hand, under stress and in as little time as possible, and without removing gear.

Some of the more common IFAK pouch placement options include:

• Back of your belt or plate carrier (good for team use, because others can get to it easily)
• Front or side placement for solo operators
• Drop-leg panels or belt-mounted IFAKs for range use or in competitions

The key is balancing accessibility and comfort. Your kit should never interfere with movement or weapon handling. Avoid putting your IFAK on your back where you can’t reach it solo if you usually train alone, and avoid mounting it under slings or gear that will block access when you shoulder your rifle.

For more detailed guidance, check out our guide on how to set up your plate carrier - the same principles apply to your IFAK’s location and balance. Consistent setup means you don't have to re-learn your IFAK location every time.

IFAK Pouch Setup & Organization: Fast Access Beats Max Capacity

It’s tempting to pack as much gear as possible when choosing or configuring your IFAK pouch setup. However, understand that overloading your kit slows you down, and you can’t afford that in an emergency.

Instead, focus on fast access and keeping everything organized. Every item should have a dedicated place, staged logically according to M.A.R.C.H. priorities. Elastic retention loops, pull tabs, and color-coded sections help you grab what you need without hesitation, even in low light or high stress.

A great example of a well-designed pouch is our Medical Admin Assault Pouch (MAAP). It’s compact but organized, with modular storage for bleed-control items and medical tools.

Remember: a small, well-organized IFAK beats an overloaded one you can’t access quickly.

IFAK Inspection, Training & Replacement Schedule

Even the best kit is useless if it’s outdated or you don’t test it. Regular IFAK maintenance is so important to making sure that everything functions when needed.

Here’s a recommended schedule:

• Every month: Open and inspect your kit. Check for expired items, torn packaging, or contamination.
• After every use or training event: Replace used or opened items immediately.
• Once per year: Review your IFAK contents list against current TCCC recommendations or updated training protocols.

Training is just as important as inspecting your kit. You should be able to locate and deploy every item in your kit by feel alone. Go through timed drills, with gloves on, and in low light. Familiarity builds confidence and prevents hesitation in real emergencies.

Common failure points may include:

• Chest seal packaging delaminating or getting brittle in hot vehicles.
• Elastic loops stretching out so tools can fall out.
• Tourniquet windlass or strap showing wear from repeated training use vs a dedicated “real-world” TQ.

Finally, make sure anyone you train or travel with knows where your IFAK is and how to use it. Sharing that knowledge can save your life as easily as theirs.

IFAK FAQ

What should be in an IFAK?

A typical IFAK focuses on M.A.R.C.H. priorities, so most kits include at least one quality tourniquet, hemostatic gauze, a pressure bandage, and vented chest seals, along with gloves, trauma shears, medical tape, an elastic wrap or compression bandage, and an emergency blanket.

Many users also add a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) with lubricant, plus a permanent marker and TCCC or casualty care card so they can record tourniquet times and key details for EMS or responding medics.

Only carry tools you are trained and legally allowed to use, and treat this list as general information, not personal medical advice.

Where should I wear my IFAK?

Your IFAK should sit in a spot you can reach with either hand without removing other gear, and you should be able to get into it quickly while under stress.

Many shooters mount their IFAK at the rear or side of a plate carrier so teammates can access it, while others prefer front or belt-line positions that are easier to reach when operating solo.

The most important thing is that it does not interfere with your draw stroke, rifle sling, or normal movement, and that you keep the location consistent across your setups so your hands know where to go without thinking.

Do civilians really need an IFAK?

Many civilians who shoot, hunt, carry concealed, or spend a lot of time on the road choose to keep an IFAK on their person, in a range bag, or in their vehicle because life-threatening bleeding can happen long before EMS arrives.

Having basic trauma tools staged. and having training to use them. can help you respond to accidents at the range, vehicle collisions, or everyday incidents at work or home.

An IFAK is not required for everyone, but for people who live around firearms, machinery, or higher-risk environments, it is often treated as part of their standard everyday kit.

How many tourniquets should I keep in my IFAK?

Many instructors recommend at least one quality, windlass-style tourniquet on your body and often a second one on your kit, vehicle, or range bag, since multiple limbs can be injured or a single tourniquet may not fully control a high-pressure bleed.

How often should I inspect or replace items in my IFAK?

A common approach is to do a quick check monthly, a full tear-down after any use or training day, and a deeper review at least once a year to look for expired items, damaged packaging, heat-affected chest seals, and worn-out pouches or elastic.

Can I rely on a pre-built IFAK kit, or should I build my own?

Pre-built kits can be a great starting point if they use quality, name-brand components, and you can then fine-tune them to match your training, local environment, and mission.

Building your own from scratch gives you total control over contents, but it also requires more research and discipline to avoid over-packing gear you will not realistically use under stress.

Secure Your Lifeline

Your IFAK is more than just another piece of gear. Knowing what’s inside, how it’s staged, and where it’s placed can mean the difference between safety and life-threatening danger during an emergency.

When setting up your IFAK, focus on keeping things simple and efficient. Organize your tools by M.A.R.C.H. priority, keep your IFAK pouch placement consistent across setups, and run regular maintenance and drills. Whether you’re a civilian carrier, first responder, or just love getting out on the range, your ability to respond correctly in an emergency depends on your being familiar with your kit.

And remember, gear is only part of the equation. Training and regular inspections turn your IFAK from a box of supplies into a tool that saves lives.

Premier Body Armor is committed to helping you prepare for the unexpected. Explore more guides and gear designed for real-world readiness. With the right setup, placement, and training, your IFAK can be one of the most important tools you ever carry, because being prepared means being ready for anything.