What is the GO2FAS Gunshot Trauma Kit and who is it designed for?
The GO2FAS™ ("Go To First Aid Situation") Gunshot Trauma Kit is a compact IFAK assembled by MED-TAC International specifically for penetrating gunshot wound management. It is designed for firearm owners, range attendees, Range Safety Officers, concealed carriers, and Stop the Bleed®-trained civilians who need a dedicated point-of-wounding kit within arm's reach. Law enforcement officers seeking a compact backup kit for off-duty or plainclothes carry are also a primary audience. At 7" × 4.5" × 2.75" and approximately 1 lb 5 oz, it is sized for mounting on a range bag, battle belt, plate carrier, or vehicle headrest.
What is included in the GO2FAS kit?
The kit contains two C-A-T® Gen 7 tourniquets (Orange, CoTCCC-recommended) front-staged for immediate access, one Combat Gauze® LE hemostatic dressing (kaolin-impregnated), one NAR Compressed Gauze, one 6" Flat ETD™ Emergency Trauma Dressing, one HyFin® Vent Compact Chest Seal Twin Pack, one 28Fr Nasopharyngeal Airway with lubricant, one silver emergency blanket, NAR Trauma Shears (7.25"), two pairs of Bear Claw™ nitrile gloves, a permanent marker, and a Just-In-Time instruction card. A MOLLE/PALS-compatible red nylon pouch with rapid-open pull tabs carries all components.
Why does the GO2FAS include two tourniquets?
Two C-A-T® tourniquets are front-staged to address the two most likely clinical scenarios in gunshot trauma: bilateral extremity wounds requiring simultaneous tourniquet application to both limbs, and high-and-tight reapplication — repositioning a tourniquet higher up a limb when an initial application fails to fully occlude blood flow. TCCC-aligned kit design specifically calls for two tourniquets to cover these contingencies. The front-staging design ensures both tourniquets are immediately accessible without opening the main pouch, consistent with the TCCC priority of addressing massive hemorrhage as the first clinical priority.
Does the GO2FAS kit include a chest seal, and why is it vented?
Yes — the GO2FAS includes one HyFin® Vent Compact Chest Seal Twin Pack, providing two individually packaged vented seals to address both the entry and exit wounds of a penetrating chest injury. CoTCCC guidelines recommend vented chest seals as the first-line intervention for open chest wounds in prehospital settings. Non-vented (occlusive) seals prevent air entry but provide no relief pathway if tension pneumothorax develops after sealing. The HyFin® Vent's three-channel pressure relief system allows accumulated air to escape on exhalation while preventing air re-entry on inhalation, reducing the risk of tension pneumothorax progression.
Is the GO2FAS suitable for someone without formal trauma training?
The GO2FAS is designed with both trained and minimally trained users in mind. The kit includes a Just-In-Time instruction card with step-by-step treatment guidance to assist users who have received basic Stop the Bleed® or similar awareness-level training. The kit's organization follows the TCCC treatment sequence — hemorrhage first, chest trauma second, airway third — so that even without memorization, a responder who opens the kit can follow the supply staging to work through the correct clinical priorities. That said, MED-TAC strongly recommends formal bleeding control training such as Stop the Bleed® to maximize performance with this kit in an emergency.
Does the GO2FAS contain CoTCCC-recommended items?
Yes. The GO2FAS includes CoTCCC-recommended C-A-T® Gen 7 tourniquet, HyFin® Vent Chest Seal, and Combat Gauze hemostatic dressing — addressing all three CoTCCC top causes of preventable death: extremity hemorrhage, tension pneumothorax, and non-compressible wound hemorrhage requiring hemostatic agents.
Is the GO2FAS appropriate for civilians with Stop the Bleed training?
Yes. The GO2FAS is designed for trained civilians and off-duty responders. Stop the Bleed certification provides sufficient training to deploy the C-A-T® tourniquet and apply pressure dressings. The HyFin® Vent Chest Seal and Combat Gauze are similarly accessible to trained non-medical responders. North American Rescue and MED-TAC International recommend Stop the Bleed training for all kit carriers.
What does GO2FAS stand for?
GO2FAS stands for Gunshot Wound First Aid Solution — a MED-TAC International designation for the compact individual IFAK configured specifically for gunshot wound response. The kit is assembled and sold by MED-TAC International using North American Rescue components.
Can I resupply the GO2FAS components individually?
Yes. All GO2FAS components (C-A-T® tourniquet, HyFin® Vent, Combat Gauze, ETD) are available individually from MED-TAC International and directly from their respective manufacturers. Replace any used or expired components immediately after any use. The pouch is reusable.
What are the dimensions and weight of the GO2FAS for carry planning?
The GO2FAS IFAK is designed for compact carry — fitting in a cargo pocket, glove box, or EDC bag. Exact dimensions and weight for the current kit configuration are available on the MED-TAC International product page. The design prioritizes the smallest possible footprint while maintaining full CoTCCC-aligned contents.
