The IFAK Kit Builder – Gauze collection lets you select the precise hemostatic and wound-packing gauze for your custom Individual First Aid Kit. Choose from CoTCCC-recommended hemostatic gauzes — QuikClot Combat Gauze, Celox Rapid, ChitoGauze Pro — as well as plain conforming and compressed gauze for wound packing. MED-TAC sources all gauze direct from manufacturers including Z-Medica, Hemcon/ArQule, and Derma Sciences, ensuring authentic product every time.
An IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) built to TCCC standards requires two categories of gauze: hemostatic gauze for wound packing in non-compressible hemorrhage scenarios, and compressed plain gauze for general wound management and pressure dressing augmentation. Current CoTCCC guidelines list QuikClot Combat Gauze (kaolin-based) and Celox Rapid or ChitoGauze Pro (chitosan-based) as recommended hemostatic gauze options. Both kaolin and chitosan mechanisms have distinct performance profiles — kaolin works via the intrinsic clotting cascade while chitosan forms a physical gel seal independent of coagulation factors, retaining efficacy in anticoagulated or hypothermic patients. See our Hemostatic Agents collection for the full hemostatic product line.
Choosing between gauze types depends on the user's training level, patient population, and mission profile. The table below summarizes the key differences between the CoTCCC-recommended options available in this collection.
| Product | Active Agent | Mechanism | CoTCCC Status | Pressure Hold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuikClot Combat Gauze | Kaolin | Activates intrinsic clotting cascade (Factor XII) | Recommended | 3 min direct pressure |
| Celox Rapid | Chitosan granules | Electrostatic RBC/platelet aggregation; cascade-independent | Recommended | 60 sec firm pressure |
| ChitoGauze Pro | Chitosan fiber | Chitosan mucoadhesive gel seal; cascade-independent | Recommended | 3 min direct pressure |
| Plain Compressed Gauze | None | Mechanical pressure and wound packing | N/A (adjunct) | Sustained manual pressure |
Correct wound packing technique is critical to hemostatic gauze efficacy. Per TCCC wound packing protocol: (1) Expose the wound fully and identify the bleeding source. (2) Pack the gauze directly into the wound cavity with your finger, pressing against the bleeding vessel — do not layer gauze on top of the wound. (3) Continue packing until the cavity is firmly filled with no residual space. (4) Apply firm, direct manual pressure for a minimum of three minutes (one minute for Celox Rapid). (5) Secure with an Israeli Bandage or pressure dressing. The key error to avoid is insufficient direct contact between the hemostatic agent and the bleeding vessel — superficial packing significantly reduces efficacy. Training through a TCCC or Stop the Bleed course is strongly recommended before field use.
Beyond hemostatic gauze, a complete IFAK build may include compressed plain gauze rolls for general wound management and tourniquet site padding, petrolatum gauze for occlusive wound dressings on burns or sucking chest wounds (in the absence of a dedicated chest seal), and eye pad gauze for ocular trauma coverage. Browse the full gauze selection alongside wound care accessories in the Gauze collection, and complete your IFAK build using the IFAK Kit Builder – Tourniquet for tourniquet selection.
Build Your Custom IFAK — One Component at a Time
CoTCCC-recommended gauze options in stock. Select your hemostatic agent, tourniquet, and airway adjuncts.
All products sourced from the actual brand manufacturer or authorized master distributors. CoTCCC recommendation status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.
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