The US Army has completely redesigned the Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) to store it in the small of the back, making it easily accessible from either side by the injured soldier or another trying to help him.

Researchers at the Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC; MA, USA) developed the remodeled IFAK as a streamlined, two-piece system that features a pouch with an insert that slides out to allow easy access to medical equipment from either side. The new IFAK also carries more medical gear than the first version, including two combat application tourniquets. Despite this, its lower profile allows a soldier to wear it comfortably in the small of the back, under the modular lightweight load-carrying equipment (MOLLE), or a large or medium backpack.

The current IFAK, developed rapidly in the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom to fulfill a critical need, was built into an existing squad automatic weapon ammunition pouch, and proved unwieldy in the field. The new IFAK, on the other hand, does not interfere with operational needs, and is approachable when needed by either the soldier himself or a fellow soldier. The new IFAK will eventually be carried by every soldier in a combat environment.

“It supports all the critical items to the individual soldier’s medical needs,” said Richard Landry, designer of the IFAK and product manager of soldier clothing and individual equipment at NSSC. “The beauty of this system, compared to the old one, is that it allows the soldier to place it on (his or her) body in a spot where it can be easily accessible, which is the critical piece, but also not get in the way of other important tactical pieces of equipment.”

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