DTL Gear offers a few different types of first aid kits, including bleeding control IFAK’s, boating kits, and the Outdoorsman First Aid Kit. According to their website, these kits were designed by an EMT specifically for hunters, fishermen, and shooters.
There are three tourniquet and gauze options available with this kit; the basic with a SWAT-T tourniquet and compressed gauze packet, an intermediate with SOFTT-W tourniquet and compressed gauze, and an advanced kit with SOFTT-W tourniquet and Quick Clot gauze.
The Outdoorsman kit opens into three organized compartments that include:
RATINGS:
Versatility: 4 out of 5 This kit is well equipped for general first aid and trauma applications for one person. I would personally like to see more gauze and some wound closure strips or butterfly bandages. It does have some available options and room for expansion with your own items.
Quality: 4 out of 5 The bag is well made, and quality name-brand components are included, but given my preference I would select the a SOFTT-W tourniquet, or a NAR CAT tourniquet rather than the SWAT-T, and Celox Z-fold sponge rather than quick clot.
User-Friendliness: 4 out of 5 This kit opens to organized compartments and easily attaches to other gear like range bags or hiking packs. Some of that organization comes at the expense of ease of access. It’s always a balancing act between ease of access and organization.
Value: 4 out of 5 The basic model of this kit retails for $99.95, not bad considering the components, non-UV reflective bandages and trauma supplies like tourniquets and chest seals.
TOTAL: 16 out of 20 = 80% Pretty Good For basic outdoors first-aid and trauma, this kit is a good starting point, it’s in a durable, organized bag capable of being attached to other gear via PALS webbing, and it has room for expansion. For someone who doesn’t know what to put in their IFAK, or who needs to supply kits for untrained or modestly trained users, or who needs a starting point for a more comprehensive kit, this isn’t a bad place to start. It’s got useful basic first aid supplies, and a few useful trauma items like chest seals, but I would like to see the addition of more wound-packing materials, windlass-style tourniquets over the elastic SWAT-T, and some additional wound-closure supplies.
I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.
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