Sons Trauma Kits

Phokus Research Group, a part of the Safariland group, has created an incredible Trauma Kit targeted specifically for law enforcement and first responder use. Named the Sons Trauma Kit, there are several versions targeted for specific uses. The kits contain the most important medical tools to life saving trauma care in the field, and are directly related to the concepts of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC).

The Sons Trauma Kits are great trauma kits, but each officer should investigate the options and specific needs before making a decision or purchasing trauma care supplies.

The Army Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) contains the following:

• 100-round SAW ammunition pouch
• SOF-T tourniquet
• 4″ Israeli style pressure bandage
• 4″ Koflex elastic, and self-adhesive, pressure bandage
• Kerlix Gauze
• (1) Airway Nasopharyngeal – an airway tube easily inserted through the nose
• 2″ medical grade tape
• 4 Nitrile gloves (2 pair)
• Trauma shears (In the one displayed at our Army training)
• Price – $265! (This is not how much a good kit should cost).

The Army IFAK should be strongly considered in choosing any type of trauma kit or supplies. The Army produced that kit based upon real-world battle reports. However, like most government contracts, the Army IFAK costs are inflated. The kit my Department compiled contains:

• Blackhawk 4″ x 6″ x 3″ utility pouch
• SOF-T tourniquet
• 4″ Israeli pressure bandage
• 4″ Koflex elastic, self-adhesive, pressure bandage
• Package of Kerlix Gauze
• Roll of 2″ medical grade tape
• Total Price – Approximately $70 (we individually purchased items, it’s cheaper).

Though most EMS services are fairly quick to respond, arterial bleeding can kill in less than 5 minutes.  Get a tourniquet ! Get a kit!

As mentioned in the previous article, the concepts of TCCC should be mandatory training for all law enforcement officers. These skills will likely be the difference between an officer dying from blood loss, or surviving to recall the events. This will be true whether the injured officer self-applies the life saving tools and procedures, or a buddy officer provides the care for a fallen brother or sister. In addition, when the scene has been secured, officers can begin life saving procedures while waiting on Fire and EMS personnel to respond. Several saves have been documented by officers properly trained and equipped who were the first upon a major crash scene, or the aftermath of a shooting or stabbing.

Sons Shield First Responder Trauma Kit (SHTK):

• This is the smallest option in the Sons series
• Secondary Tourniquet – wrapping that can be tightened to meet tourniquet standards
• Standard Gauze (for SHTK-1 Intermediate option) – standard white gauze
• Hemostatic Gauze (for SHTK-2 Advanced option) – this is gauze treated with chemicals to seal wounds and stop bleeding*
• (2) Improvised Occlusive Dressing – the pressure sealed vinyl bag containing the kit separates into two separate pieces for bandaging.
• Surgical Tape – 2 yards of tape that sticks when wet
• Gloves – a pair of nitrile gloves
• Size – 4″ x 6″ x 1″
• Weight – 6 oz.
• MSRP – $100.

The Shield is the smallest and most compact of the Sons Trauma Kits. This kit could be placed in a cargo pocket, or easily in a rapid response bag, or duty bag. The kit could also be slipped inside a uniform shirt that has the hidden zipper behind the faux buttons.

Phokus uses medical-grade vinyl for the bags that seal the items. The bags are machine pressure sealed instead of vacuum sealing. By using pressure to seal the bags, the bags maintain flexibility. Vacuum sealed bags are most often stiff and rigid, making them more difficult and less comfortable to carry in a pocket. You now cops, if it isn’t’ comfortable it’s going to get left behind. RF Welding produces a continuous waterproof seal designed to last 24-30 months.

The vinyl bags are designed with a Quick Deploy Ripcord. By pulling on the tab that extends outward from the top of the bag, the officer can open the kit by use of a full-length ripcord. Once opened the bag can be pulled apart into two separate pieces that can act as an occlusive bandage.

The Low Visibility First Responder Trauma Kit (LVFR):

• This is the medium-sized Sons Trauma Kit, but still viable for individual officer use
• The Low Visibility Option is NTOA Member Tested and Recommended
• SWAT-T Tourniquet
• 4″ Z-Fold Gauze
• Hemostatic Clotting Gauze
• Occlusive Dressing
• Tape – (2) yards of medical grade tape
• Gloves – (1) pair of nitrile gloves
• Size – 6″ x 9″ x 0.75″ (very thin for easy storage)
• Weight – 9 oz.
• Options – the LVFR-2 can be tailored to your needs; NPA w/550, Combat Gauze, 14G Needle, Casualty Card (for triage), (2) 2″ Safety Pins, 3″ Elastic Bandage, Sharpie Marker.
• MSRP – Approximately $120 (LVFR-1); $138 (LVFR-2)

The Sons First Responder Trauma Kit (FRTK):

• The Sons First Responder Trauma Kit is a mix between the first two.
• ]SWAT-T Tourniquet
• 4″ Z-Fold Gauze
• (2) yards of medical grade tape
• Nitrile Gloves
• Vinyl Bag – can be used as occlusive dressing
• FRTK-2 Option – All FRTK-1 items and adds (2) designed occlusive dressings
• FRTK-3 Option – All FRTK-2 items and adds (1) hemostatic clotting gauze
• Size – 9″ x 12″ x 1″
• Weight – Varies but similar to LVFR
• MSRP – Not available yet.

There are two larger Sons Trauma Kits by Phokus, called the Deployment Trauma Kit II (DVK II), and the Advanced Mobility Trauma Kit (AVTK), but those kits contain even more supplies that typically exceed the needs of individual officer trauma kits. They are also $143 and $180 respectively, making individual officer issuance harder to justify.

Personally, out of all the Sons Trauma Kit options I prefer the LVFR-2 adds medical supplies and techniques that should only be performed by licensed EMT’s or Paramedics.

Whatever you choose, get a solid tourniquet. If you can, try to outfit a trauma kit with gauze, pressure bandages, and tape. You should already be carrying nitrile gloves so save the space, and in a pinch, the knife (or seatbelt cutter) you always carry can be used as shears – carefully.