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Odin21 · 03-21-2012, 11:42

To clarify, I am not in any way looking to replace my aid bag and I understand that I cannot carry enough medical supplies on my vest in addition to ammo, comms, etc. I did not mean to give that impression. I was looking more for a single pouch or two that I can carry a small amount of trauma gear in on my vest that I have immediate access to so that I can leave my larger aid bag in the truck depending on what operations we are doing. As far as searching, I have tried looking up "combat medic vest" "combat medic pouch" and other variations thereof. Most of the posts that I have read in "The Aid Bag" section deal with true aidbags and then there is the review of the TT FRB. The one most similar to what I was looking for was a review of the TacMed drop leg pouch and it mentioned that it could be mounted to the vest. I have seen medics mention a pouch on their vest, but I do not recall them saying what it was or giving any sort of review on it. There are also a few reviews of IFAK type pouches, but I have not seen anything that I remember on vest pouches for medics, although I have wondered from time to time if just loading up on IFAK type pouches is a viable option. There is actually a vest from SO Tech called the MACH that has an NSN and is supposedly issued to SF medics that appears to just be a chest rig with two SO Tech IFAKs and 2 utility pouches mounted to it. Back on topic- if I completely missed the thread on medic pouches and/or vests I apologize sincerely and if someone could point me to it I would appreciate it and I will get out of your hair.

The reason that I have started looking at vests as an augmentation to the aid bag was the "packing list" in the back of the "Ranger Medic handbook" we were all issued. Here is the quote that got me on this kick- any comments would be welcome because right now I do not even know if this is a viable question. "The RMED/RLCS packing list are items that the medic carries on his body without opening an aid-bag or rucksack. All items are carried in a manner that provides ease of access. The intent of this packing list is to provide all immediate care for a trauma casualty without opening external bags or equipment."

The packing list consists of 1 cric kit, 1 NPA with lube, 1 14ga, 2 hyfins, 2 ACS, 2 CATs, 2 Israeli Dressings (6in), 2 Chitosan, 1 Chitoflex, 4 vacuum sealed kerlix, 2 saline lock kits, 1 sharps shuttle, 1 pulse ox, 1 headlamp, 1 exam light, 3 pairs of gloves, and a set of shears on a leash. I have an active shooter chest rig set up still from when I supported my college PD and I managed to get most of that in a SAW pouch with the TQs rubber banded to the front of my mag pouches. I was not nearly carrying as much "shooter stuff" on my chest rig as I do for the military, but I hope that even if something did go bad on campus I would not need 210 plus rounds.

For my military kit, the IBA that I have set up for training right now has 3 2mag pouches that go from in front of my left elbow across the middle of the vest. That way I can carry AR mags or shotgun cards, depending on what the unit decides to issue me. Up on my chest I have a double pistol pouch, a flashlight pouch, a TQ rubber banded, and a seat belt cutter. Moving to the right side I have a SAW pouch for holding my medical stuff now but there is some real estate on either side of it. My IFAK is behind my right elbow but mounted far enough forward that I can still sit in a truck seat. I know that some people prefer to have their IFAK on their front, but our unit SOP last time was strong side in the kidney area and I just kinda got used to it there. Having it back there also gives me a gap in my vest that allows me to access my drop leg Safariland. If someone wants pictures I will see what I can do. The whole reason that I am looking at a "vest medic pouch" is to replace the SAW pouch and better utilize my real estate. I know that I have to hit the gym more, but I am a big guy. I can put a lot of stuff on a LG or XL IOTV.

In short, I am trying to address The Reapers valid concerns about me needing to address fire superiority before medicine, which I completely agree. "The best battlefield medicine is fire superiority", which is why I am fighting to get issued a long arm in addition to just a side arm. A shotgun is not my first choice, but it is better than just an M9. Is there anything that you guys can think of that I am missing or that I could do better as far as the vest? It looks like I will not be issued a radio, but if I am I was thinking of putting it on my left side about where my IFAK is on the right.

As an aside, to anyone else who is wondering, evidently the medic pouch in the photo is a North American NAR-4 pouch.

Thank you guys for your help.

03-21-2012, 11:42	#5
Odin21 Asset Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 32	To clarify, I am not in any way looking to replace my aid bag and I understand that I cannot carry enough medical supplies on my vest in addition to ammo, comms, etc. I did not mean to give that impression. I was looking more for a single pouch or two that I can carry a small amount of trauma gear in on my vest that I have immediate access to so that I can leave my larger aid bag in the truck depending on what operations we are doing. As far as searching, I have tried looking up "combat medic vest" "combat medic pouch" and other variations thereof. Most of the posts that I have read in "The Aid Bag" section deal with true aidbags and then there is the review of the TT FRB. The one most similar to what I was looking for was a review of the TacMed drop leg pouch and it mentioned that it could be mounted to the vest. I have seen medics mention a pouch on their vest, but I do not recall them saying what it was or giving any sort of review on it. There are also a few reviews of IFAK type pouches, but I have not seen anything that I remember on vest pouches for medics, although I have wondered from time to time if just loading up on IFAK type pouches is a viable option. There is actually a vest from SO Tech called the MACH that has an NSN and is supposedly issued to SF medics that appears to just be a chest rig with two SO Tech IFAKs and 2 utility pouches mounted to it. Back on topic- if I completely missed the thread on medic pouches and/or vests I apologize sincerely and if someone could point me to it I would appreciate it and I will get out of your hair. The reason that I have started looking at vests as an augmentation to the aid bag was the "packing list" in the back of the "Ranger Medic handbook" we were all issued. Here is the quote that got me on this kick- any comments would be welcome because right now I do not even know if this is a viable question. "The RMED/RLCS packing list are items that the medic carries on his body without opening an aid-bag or rucksack. All items are carried in a manner that provides ease of access. The intent of this packing list is to provide all immediate care for a trauma casualty without opening external bags or equipment." The packing list consists of 1 cric kit, 1 NPA with lube, 1 14ga, 2 hyfins, 2 ACS, 2 CATs, 2 Israeli Dressings (6in), 2 Chitosan, 1 Chitoflex, 4 vacuum sealed kerlix, 2 saline lock kits, 1 sharps shuttle, 1 pulse ox, 1 headlamp, 1 exam light, 3 pairs of gloves, and a set of shears on a leash. I have an active shooter chest rig set up still from when I supported my college PD and I managed to get most of that in a SAW pouch with the TQs rubber banded to the front of my mag pouches. I was not nearly carrying as much "shooter stuff" on my chest rig as I do for the military, but I hope that even if something did go bad on campus I would not need 210 plus rounds. For my military kit, the IBA that I have set up for training right now has 3 2mag pouches that go from in front of my left elbow across the middle of the vest. That way I can carry AR mags or shotgun cards, depending on what the unit decides to issue me. Up on my chest I have a double pistol pouch, a flashlight pouch, a TQ rubber banded, and a seat belt cutter. Moving to the right side I have a SAW pouch for holding my medical stuff now but there is some real estate on either side of it. My IFAK is behind my right elbow but mounted far enough forward that I can still sit in a truck seat. I know that some people prefer to have their IFAK on their front, but our unit SOP last time was strong side in the kidney area and I just kinda got used to it there. Having it back there also gives me a gap in my vest that allows me to access my drop leg Safariland. If someone wants pictures I will see what I can do. The whole reason that I am looking at a "vest medic pouch" is to replace the SAW pouch and better utilize my real estate. I know that I have to hit the gym more, but I am a big guy. I can put a lot of stuff on a LG or XL IOTV. In short, I am trying to address The Reapers valid concerns about me needing to address fire superiority before medicine, which I completely agree. "The best battlefield medicine is fire superiority", which is why I am fighting to get issued a long arm in addition to just a side arm. A shotgun is not my first choice, but it is better than just an M9. Is there anything that you guys can think of that I am missing or that I could do better as far as the vest? It looks like I will not be issued a radio, but if I am I was thinking of putting it on my left side about where my IFAK is on the right. As an aside, to anyone else who is wondering, evidently the medic pouch in the photo is a North American NAR-4 pouch. Thank you guys for your help. Last edited by Odin21; 03-21-2012 at 11:46.
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