JFAK vs IFAK – What’s the Difference?

Having the right first aid kit on hand can save lives when medical emergencies strike. When searching for medical kits, understanding the main JFAK vs IFAK differences will help you narrow down your options and choose the perfect kit for you.

JFAK and IFAK are both types of first aid kits designed to offer life-saving treatment when medical emergencies occur. However, they differ in the equipment they provide, the situations they’re typically used in, and who generally uses them.

What Is an Individual First Aid Kit?

Individual first aid kits are equipped with supplies to treat a single person suffering from severe bleeding. IFAKs are compact, lightweight kits designed to fit onto the holder’s vest or waist, or into a small backpack.

IFAKs offer life-saving equipment that goes far beyond the contents of a regular first aid kit. Equipment like tourniquets and gauze are enough to stem bleeding in many cases and can help keep a patient stable until EMTs arrive.

What to Look for in an IFAK

The items contained in an IFAK will vary to an extent depending on the bleeding control supplier you purchase from. Many suppliers will offer different ranges of trauma kits that offer more or less advanced medical equipment. Research your options and select the kit that gives you the most peace of mind.

Gauze

Technological advances have resulted in gauze types that are highly effective at staunching bleeding. Hemostatic gauze—included in some trauma kits—is loaded with hemostatic agents that help to accelerate blood clotting in bleeding emergencies. Hemostatic agents are also useful for minimizing the risk of other complications associated with massive blood loss, like shock.

Brian Graddon — founder of True Rescue — is a former firefighter, paramedic, and SWAT medic with first-hand experience of how bleeding control products like hemostatic gauze can save lives. Brian explains: “The hemostatic agents used in hemostatic dressings activate coagulation factors and have proven their efficacy and safety in promoting hemostasis.”

Brian also underlines the importance of knowing how and when to use hemostatic gauze. He explains: “Gauze containing hemostatic agents shouldn’t be used for injuries to the head, eye, chest, or abdomen.” 

This is a reminder that having the right products on hand is only one part of protecting ourselves and our families. You also need to take the time to learn how to use the items in your IFAK and be ready to administer life-saving care.

Conventional gauze is also valuable equipment for constricting blood flow. Use gauze to apply pressure on the wound to stop or slow bleeding. Wound-packing gauze is designed specifically for packing wounds and is also a valuable item to have in your IFAK. When you manage to stop the bleeding, fix the gauze in place with a bandage.

Pressure Dressing and Bandages

After packing the wound with gauze, pressure dressings and bandages are applied. A pressure dressing is useful to maintain pressure on the wound, hold the packing gauze in place, and free up the bystander’s hands. 

A bleeding control kit may come with different bandages depending on the brand and the price point. For example, bandages with a hook-and-loop closing mechanism are easier to secure in place than bandages without them but may come at a higher cost.

Tourniquets

Tourniquets are vital in cases of trauma involving severe bleeding from an extremity. They can staunch life-threatening bleeding from arteries when used correctly.

Different brands offer tourniquets with different features and levels of complexity. Some combat tourniquets such as the C-A-T® were designed for military or law enforcement use but can be found in regular IFAKs too. Many users with little or no medical experience may find other models like the SWAT-T more intuitive.

Shears

Shears are provided for cutting away clothing around the wound. This gives the first responder easier access to the injury.

Gloves

Gloves are principally intended to protect the first responder. However, they’re also useful for keeping the area around the wound as clean as possible.

Rescue Blanket

Use a rescue blanket to maintain the casualty’s body temperature.

What Is a Joint First Aid Kit?

A joint first aid kit (JFAK) for military use is a specialized collection of medical supplies designed to treat injuries sustained in combat or other military operations. These kits are often carried by individual soldiers or medics and are equipped to treat a wide range of injuries suffered by wounded warriors.

Having equipment on hand to treat common battlefield injuries such as traumatic wounds, burns, or compromised airways can increase soldier survivability. To that end, a JFAK carried on a soldier’s tactical vest will typically carry a range of equipment including:

• Tourniquets: A JFAK may include a CoTCCC-approved tourniquet. Ensure you know how to use them as every second is crucial in an emergency.
• Chest seal: Chest seals are featured in some premium IFAKs, but not in more basic models.
• Nasopharyngeal airway
• Triangular bandages
• Combat gauze
• Compression dressings
• Kerlix bandage
• Gloves
• Eye shield

JFAKs have been developed according to the most common life-threatening injuries faced in combat situations. Studies suggest that modern conflicts are most associated with severe injuries like extremity injuries, burns, and brain injuries. A JFAK works to offer compact emergency medical supplies in a kit that is small enough to attach to soldiers’ clothing while being effective enough to treat severe bleeding or other life-threatening injuries until emergency medical assistance arrives.

Military Trauma Kits Are Based on Soldiers’ Feedback

The most contemporary JFAKs are the result of soldier feedback and are designed to reduce the number of deaths at the point of injury. The U.S. military previously used IFAKs, but deployed soldiers requested a more robust option that provided more resources for dealing with serious injuries on the battlefield.

The IFAK was replaced after various bodies including the Directorate of Combat and Doctrine Development and the Program Executive Office Soldier developed and tested the IFAK II. However, the military now favors the JFAK.

Main Differences Between a JFAK and an IFAK

The main difference between a JFAK and an IFAK is when it’s used and by whom. There are also some significant differences in the equipment typically found in each. Remember that an IFAK is essentially a bleeding control kit while a JFAK provides equipment to stop traumatic bleeding as well as other life-saving equipment to open airways.

	JFAK	IFAK
CONTENTS	JFAKs include medical equipment to reduce point-of-injury deaths. Many of its bleeding control tools like tourniquets and combat gauze overlap with IFAK contents. Also includes products like a nasopharyngeal airway to aid breathing.	An IFAK includes a range of bleeding control equipment like tourniquets, dressings, and bandages. More advanced kits may include chest seals and hemostatic gauze. Other equipment like a rescue blanket, shears, and gloves are also included.
TYPICALLY USED BY	JFAKs are designed for heavy-duty military use in high-risk battlefield scenarios.	The IFAK is ideal for personal use at home, in a car, or in the workplace. Outdoor adventurers like hikers often carry trauma kits or IFAKs.
EFFECTIVENESS	Highly effective for use in combat. JFAKs are designed using soldier feedback and focus on saving lives at the point of injury.	Highly effective for first responders in cases of traumatic bleeding. Premium kits will cover different types of bleeding—including from the chest.

The Verdict: IFAKs Are Sufficient for Most People

Deciding to invest in a trauma kit is the first step toward protecting yourself, your family, and your workmates from emergencies that result in severe bleeding. Every second counts in an emergency, so take time to familiarize yourself with your kit’s contents and regularly practice using equipment like tourniquets.

It’s easy to feel confused when so many different products seem like the best solution. Rest assured that an IFAK is more than sufficient to protect the people around you in the event of a bleeding emergency at home, on the road, at work, or when adventuring in the great outdoors.

Photo by Mathurin NAPOLY / matnapo on Unsplash