How to Build an IFAK Pouch (Individual First Aid Kit Guide)

In a survival or emergency situation, injuries happen fast and waiting for help isn’t always an option. That’s why first aid items are critical and a properly stocked IFAK pouch or case (Individual First Aid Kit) is essential. More than just a box of Band-Aids, an individual first aid kit is designed to stop bleeding, stabilize injuries, and keep you alive until higher care is available.

Whether you’re hiking, prepping, or running tactical gear, your IFAK pouch should be customized to your needs and skill level.

🩹 What an Individual First Aid Kit Is Designed to Handle

A standard IFAK pouch is built to manage:

• Cuts, scrapes, and bleeding wounds

• Burns (minor to moderate)

• Blisters, splinters, and stings

• Allergic reactions or mild illness

• Sprains or minor immobilization needs

Upgraded versions can also handle trauma care like severe bleeding, fractures, and airway issues.

⚡ Core Categories of an IFAK Pouch

 Bleeding

Stopping bleeding comes first in any emergency. Your pouch kit should carry more than just band-aids, think trauma capable but compact. Include rolled or flat-packed gauze for packing wounds, a couple of trauma pads for pressure dressings, Steri Strips, and a bleed stop powder or gauze as well as medical tape or self-adhering wrap to secure them. Most importantly, add a real tourniquet. A purpose-built windlass-style tourniquet, belongs in every kit, even if you never use it, you’ll be glad it’s there when direct pressure isn’t enough. Practice applying it one-handed, because you might need to use it on yourself.

• Standard Gear: Adhesive bandages, Steri Strips, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, medical tape, Tourniquet.

• Upgrade: Hemostatic gauze (e.g. QuikClot), pressure dressings, chest seals.

Dressings and Wound Closure

Once bleeding is under control and the wound is clean, you’ll need to keep it protected. Stock a mix of adhesive bandages for small cuts and scrapes, sterile gauze for medium wounds, and a self-adherent wrap (like Coban) to keep everything in place. Adhesive wound closure strips or butterfly bandages weigh next to nothing and can close up small lacerations. Don’t overlook blister care either, a few moleskin or hydrocolloid pads can keep you on your feet when long hikes rub your skin raw.

 Burns

Burns are one of the most common injuries outdoors, whether from a campfire, stove, or even sun exposure. They can range from painful annoyances to serious emergencies, so having dedicated burn care in your pouch kit makes a huge difference. Standard gear should include single-use burn gel packets that both cool the skin and reduce pain, plus non-stick dressings that won’t tear newly damaged tissue. Ordinary gauze can cling to burns, so it’s better to wrap the area with cling film or specialized burn dressings to protect the wound while keeping it clean. For a serious upgrade, silver-based dressings and hydrogel pads provide longer-lasting protection against infection and lock in moisture, which is critical for healing. Another often overlooked item to include are single use sunscreen packets for when you forget, or run out of sunscreen. 

• Standard Gear: Burn gel packets, non-stick dressings, cling wrap for coverage, sunscreen

• Upgrade: Silver-based dressings, hydrogel burn pads.

Sprains & Fractures

Even if you never face major trauma, sprains and twisted joints are incredibly common in the backcountry. A single misstep can leave you hobbling, so your pouch kit should have at least one elastic bandage (like an ACE wrap) and a triangular bandage that can double as a sling. These give you basic support and stabilization until you get home or to medical care. If you want to step it up, compact splints such as SAM splints fold flat but can stiffen a joint or limb when needed. Instant cold packs help reduce swelling and pain in the moment, while cohesive wrap adds another layer of stability without bulky supplies. With just a few pieces, you can go from limping painfully to at least moving with controlled support.

• Standard Gear: Elastic bandages (ACE wrap), triangular bandage (for slings).

• Upgrade: Compact splints (SAM splint), instant cold packs, cohesive wrap.

Medications & Comfort

The right medication can turn a survival situation into something manageable instead of miserable. At a minimum, carry small, sealed doses of pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, antihistamines for allergic reactions or insect stings, anti-diarrheal tablets to control stomach issues, eye drops, toothache relief, and electrolyte packets to help replace fluids after illness or heat stress. These lightweight items cover the most common issues you’re likely to face. If you want to push your kit further, and you’re trained and legally able, you can include antibiotics or more advanced medications for extended care scenarios. The goal isn’t to build a mobile pharmacy but to have the few key drugs that handle pain, swelling, stomach issues, and allergic reactions, the things most likely to stop you in your tracks.

• Standard Gear: Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen), antihistamines, anti-diarrheal tablets, electrolyte packets.

• Upgrade: Antibiotics (where legal and trained), advanced meds for extended care.

Tools & Safety

A first aid kit isn’t just about bandages  the right tools make treatment possible. Your standard kit should include tweezers for removing splinters, tick removal tools, trauma shears for cutting clothing and tape, nitrile gloves for keeping both you and the patient safe, and a CPR mask in case you need to help someone in cardiac arrest. Upgrading your kit means thinking about life-saving gear: a commercial tourniquet (CAT or SOFT-T) for major bleeding, airway adjuncts if you’re trained to use them, and even a digital thermometer to help track fevers or heat illness. Tools are the enablers — they let you use your supplies effectively and give you options when things get serious.

• Standard Gear: Tweezers, tick remover, trauma shears, nitrile gloves, CPR mask.

• Upgrade: Tourniquet (CAT, SOFT-T), airway adjuncts, thermometer.

Sanitization and Infection Prevention

Stopping bleeding is step one, but keeping the wound clean is how you avoid bigger problems later. In a personal pouch kit, carry a handful of alcohol wipes and antiseptic towelettes, plus a small tube or single-use packets of antibiotic ointment. A small squeeze bottle of hand sanitizer keeps your own hands clean before treating someone else. If you have room, add a sterile irrigation syringe or a couple of sealed saline pods. flushing dirt out of a wound can prevent an infection that ruins your trip faster than the injury itself.

• Standard Gear: Gloves, Mask, Sanitizer, Antisceptic wipes

🧰 How to Pack an IFAK Pouch

An individual first aid kit works best when items are organized by priority:

Start with priorities. Place lifesaving tools  like your tourniquet, trauma dressings, and gloves  in the most accessible spot. These should be the first things your hand touches when you unzip the pouch. Next, pack wound cleaning and sanitization supplies, then dressings, then comfort items like meds. Think of it like layers: stop the bleeding first, clean the wound second, keep it protected third, and only after that worry about comfort.

Use pockets and pouches. Most modern first aid pouches have elastic loops, mesh pockets, or dividers. Use them to separate gear by category, not by size. For example, keep all bleeding control together (gauze, wrap, tourniquet), all burn care together (gel, dressings, wrap), and all meds together (in labeled baggies). That way, you know where to reach when your brain is racing.

Label if possible. If your pouch has multiple compartments, labeling them saves critical time. Small Velcro or marker labels like “Bleed,” “Burn,” or “Meds” mean anyone  not just you  can use the kit correctly under stress. Even strips of colored tape can help: red for bleeding, blue for meds, green for burns. If labeling isn’t possible, make sure your most urgent items are still staged at the front or in outer pockets.

Keep it flat and logical. Don’t stuff your pouch like a junk drawer. Fold gauze pads flat, tuck wipes into resealable bags, and roll wraps tightly. Bulky items go toward the back so smaller, urgent supplies don’t get buried. Imagine yourself opening the kit with one hand in bad weather if it’s still usable, you packed it right.

👉 Pro Tip: Repack your kit after every use or inspection. Supplies shift around over time, and nothing is worse than realizing your “organized” pouch has turned into a mess just when you need it most.

⚡ Levels of an IFAK Pouch

Think of an IFAK pouch in layers:

1. Basic IFAK – Bandages, antiseptic, gloves. Handles cuts and minor injuries.

2. Intermediate IFAK – Adds burn care, elastic wraps, basic meds. Covers common survival injuries.

3. Trauma IFAK – Tourniquet, hemostatic gauze, chest seals, splinting tools. Handles life-threatening emergencies.

4. Advanced/Professional IFAK – Suture kits, IV gear, advanced meds (requires training).

Your individual first aid kit should be scaled to both your environment and your medical knowledge.

Different Size Options for First Aid Kits

First aid kits don’t need to be bulky to be effective. You can scale them to fit your carry style, from a mounted pouch on your pack to a slim wallet kit that disappears in your pocket. Here are some common formats and why they work:

• Large First Aid Kit– A full-sized setup with dressings, bandages, meds, and tools. Perfect for bugout bags, hiking packs, or keeping in your truck. ↗
• Altoids Tin First Aid Kit – A classic DIY survival hack. Compact and sturdy, these tins hold bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and even a pair of tweezers. ↗
• Small First Aid Kit – Palm-sized pouches that carry bleeding control, basic meds, and wound care. A solid balance between capability and portability. ↗
• Wallet First Aid Kit – Flatpack gear like Grim Survival Cards combined with resealable sleeves for meds or bandages. Slim enough to vanish into your everyday carry. ↗

Grim Tip Cards Waterproof Pocket Guides

Grim Tip Cards aren’t just for fishing — they’re survival mentors in card form. Each waterproof, credit-card-sized guide is packed with quick, practical info you can use in the field. For first aid, a card might cover bleeding control steps, CPR basics, or how to identify shock. They slip into a wallet or kit without taking up space, and they hold up against rain, mud, and sweat. Imagine pulling out a card in the middle of an emergency that shows you exactly how to apply a tourniquet or treat a burn — it’s like carrying a medic who never forgets the details.

🏕 Ready to Build your IFAK?

An IFAK pouch is more than just a convenience—it’s a survival essential. By carrying an individual first aid kit, you prepare yourself to handle everything from everyday cuts to life-threatening trauma.

Start with the basics, then expand as your skills grow. Build your IFAK to fit your environment, your mission, and your training. Because when the time comes, the gear you carry—and know how to use—can make all the difference.

FAQ: Building a Full-Size IFAK

Q: What is an IFAK?
A: An IFAK, or Individual First Aid Kit, is a personal medical kit designed to treat traumatic injuries in emergencies. Unlike a small EDC first aid kit, an IFAK is focused on lifesaving interventions like bleeding control, airway management, and trauma stabilization.

Q: What should be included in a full-size IFAK?
A: A full-size IFAK typically contains a tourniquet, pressure bandages, sterile gauze, chest seals, hemostatic agents, trauma shears, nitrile gloves, and airway adjuncts. Some kits also include burn dressings, splints, and medications depending on training and mission.

Q: How should I organize a full-size IFAK?
A: Organize by priority:

• Bleeding control items (tourniquet, pressure bandage, gauze) in the most accessible location.

• Airway and breathing items (nasopharyngeal airway, chest seals) grouped together.

• Other tools (gloves, shears, tape, medications) in separate pockets or pouches.
  Many IFAKs use tear-away pouches with labeled sections for speed under stress.

Q: Can I customize my IFAK?
A: Yes. Every IFAK should match the user’s training and environment. For example, a hiker might carry splints and blister care, while a soldier or law enforcement officer prioritizes tourniquets and trauma dressings. Only pack what you’re trained and comfortable using.

Q: How often should I inspect my IFAK?
A: Check your IFAK monthly. Look for expired medications, broken seals, or worn gear. Replace anything used immediately, and store your kit in a dry, clean location to protect supplies.

Q: Should I take training before using an IFAK?
A: Absolutely. Having the right gear is only half the equation. Taking a Stop the Bleed class, CPR certification, or trauma first aid course ensures you know how to use the tools in your IFAK effectively.