Comments on: Aid Bags

By: docb

docb — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:42:08 +0000

Believe it or not, I really like the camelbak BFM with the insert that is sold separately. I have only the original Blackhawk aid bags (Stomp I?), Stomp II and the G.I. ones to compare it too, but I like it far better than any of these. I have a heavily loaded out vest for missions when my aid bag stays in the truck.

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:00:07 +0000

In Afghanistan we have to hump quit a bit more than Iraq (and up and down mountains) so weight is a really important factor when packing an aid bag. I have been using 2 seperate bags - one for mounted and one for dismounted patrols.

The mounted bag is very small. I use either one of the issue MOLLE bags (with no attached pouches), or a tactical tailor M5… Both are small enough to carry inside the cab of a humvee, unlike a STOMP bag. This bag is packed with nothing but trauma supplies and weighs about 25-30 pounds. I could shed even more gear as there are certain things that I have never used, but I want them in case I ever need them. I use another bag in the trunk to carry sick-call meds and resupply for my small bag.

My dismounted bag is made by SO Tech. It is the only aid bag that I have ever seen that is made for overnight operations (more room for misc non-medical supplies - sleeping system, socks, MRE’s etc…) It has a large main pouch sort of like the LBT bags, but the bottom zips open and has another large pouch to store other non-med gear. We have guys who use that Tactical Tailor first responder bag as an aid bag when we are in the mountains… I might be picking one up soon.

London bridge makes the best bags, in terms of quality - but they cost an arm and a leg. I got one for free, I really like it, but opted to use the SO tech bag instead for overnighters.

I wear an SO Tech chest rack. On it I carry 9 M4 mags, some M9 mags, and two of the issue molle pouches packed with SOF-T Tourniquets, some gauze, and an israeli dressing or two.

By: Flatiron

Flatiron — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:14:58 +0000

In reality its about as big as a large Fanny Pack. Not really as good as a issue CLS Bag, but good for niche uses. Like I said I found it in a pile of junk on the FOB and used it to hold Sick call meds, band-aids, etc cause it was small and easily accessible. Also I didn’t need to worry about bringing out the STOMP II just for a couple aspirin..

By: Max

Max — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:07:10 +0000

How big is that bag? I’ve looked at that bag before in the Tac Tailor catalogs, but I thought it was only about as big as a CLS bag. In what ways is that bag better than the standard CLS bag?

By: Flatiron

Flatiron — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:51:19 +0000

I had this bag as well in Iraq. I found it in a pile of junk when we moved in. Its where I kept all my Sick Call Meds. Fit perfectly behind the rear HUMVEE seat and I would use it most of the time around Iraqis. If I pulled out my STOMP II they figured it was time for a MEDCAP and would line up in droves.

I reserved my STOMPII mainly for dismount patrols as it was so heavy. My homeade leg rig worked quite well for security missions and such where the trucks were within 100 yards or so just for the reason you mentioned, I can get back to the big bag in a hurry if need be and treat soldiers from the leg rig till then.

By: Max

Max — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:37:28 +0000

I have two seperate Aid bags. I have the STOMP 2, which I use, and I also have the Blackhawk Special Ops medical bag. I do not use the Special Ops bag because I have found it to be too small for my needs, so now it just contains the extra supplies that I don’t want to keep in my regular use Aid-Bag (Extra box of gloves, tons of extra fluid) so that I can resupply my regular use Aid-Bag easily.

Because my STOMP II weighs about 45 LBS, I have a MAV from Tactical Tailor. I put 2 of the 3 Mag Panels in the middle, and on each side is 1 Modular Zipper Utility Pouch and 1 Zipper Utility Pouch (One of the kinds withe the extra pocket in the front). In each of the Modular Zipper Pouches I keep a ziplock bag that has a 500ml bag of Hextend plus the other supplies needed to set up a saline lock, and also an Israeli bandage and some kerlix. I haven’t set up the other pouches quite like I want, but Tactical Tailor has a product called the Intermediate Treatment Bag that comes with 2 small pouches, kind of like the ones that come with the STOMP II bag (One pouch for meds, the other for whatever). If the Tac Tailor pouches are small enough, I want to get 2 to put my airways and some extra bandages in, my set up for my MAV would be:

Pouch w/ Hextend + bandages - Pouch with Airways - Magazines - Pouch with extra bandages - Pouch w/ Hextend + bandages.

I wouldn’t feel bad about leaving my Aid-Bag in the truck because I can at least carry some basic stuff on me to take care of 2 or 3 people w/o it.