Is the TacMed Emergency Trauma Station Throw Kit designed for untrained bystanders?
Yes. The ETS Throw Kit was specifically designed for untrained bystanders, concerned citizens, and non-clinical first responders. It includes laminated, brightly colored, high-resolution illustrated instructions that guide the user through hemorrhage control steps without medical training. The design reflects Stop the Bleed® principles, optimizing for stress-impaired decision-making common in mass casualty scenarios.
What tourniquet is included in the ETS Throw Kit?
The kit includes the SOFTT-W-R (Rescue Orange) CoTCCC-recommended tourniquet. The Rescue Orange color was deliberately chosen to help untrained responders quickly identify the device under stress, distinguish it from other kit contents, and confirm application visually from a distance. The SOFTT-W (Special Operations Forces Tactical Tourniquet Wide) uses a dual-windlass system suitable for one-handed self-application.
What does the casualty marking card in the Throw Kit do?
The brightly colored 1-foot × 1-foot Casualty Marking Card is placed at the victim's door, staging area, or point of injury to alert additional responders — including law enforcement, EMS, and fire rescue — that there is a wounded casualty in that location. This improves casualty location visibility in chaotic mass casualty scenes where victims may be behind closed doors or in areas not yet reached by professional responders.
Can the ETS Throw Kit be used for training without replacing the components?
Yes. The heavy-weight resealable bag packaging is specifically designed to support training, familiarization, and quality inspection reuse. The laminated instruction card also resists deterioration from repeated handling. For consumable training, TacMed Solutions offers separate training versions; however, the resealable bag design allows instructors to walk through kit contents without consuming sterile or single-use items.
How does the Throw Kit w/Chest Seal differ from the standard Throw Kit?
The Throw Kit w/Chest Seal variant substitutes a chest seal for the standard petrolatum gauze. A chest seal is specifically designed to create an occlusive dressing over a penetrating thoracic wound (gunshot wound to the chest), preventing air entry into the pleural space. This variant is appropriate for active shooter scenarios where gunshot wounds to the torso are the primary anticipated injury pattern.
When should I choose the Throw Kit with Chest Seal variant?
Choose the Chest Seal variant for active-shooter or explosion environments where penetrating chest wounds (gunshot wounds to the torso) are the primary anticipated injury. The chest seal replaces the petrolatum gauze and is optimized for occluding sucking chest wounds. For general workplace or school stations where the injury pattern is less predictable, the standard variant covers the broader range of traumatic injuries.
Can I use the TacMed Throw Kit for Stop the Bleed® training programs?
Yes. The heavy-weight resealable bag allows repeated handling and familiarization without consuming the sterile components. The laminated instruction card is designed for exactly this purpose — high-contrast illustrated steps that survive repeated training use without degrading.
How many Throw Kits should I stage at a public venue?
FEMA and DHS guidance for public-access bleeding-control programs recommends one kit per 100 occupants as a baseline, with higher density in high-risk environments. Stage kits no more than 3 minutes from any point in the facility — the same standard used for AED placement. For Emergency Trauma Station installations, contact MED-TAC for volume pricing.
Does the Throw Kit meet Stop the Bleed® program requirements?
Yes. The Throw Kit contains the core items specified in the Stop the Bleed® program — a tourniquet, wound-packing dressing, and instructional material. The SOFTT-W-R is CoTCCC-recommended, exceeding the minimum tourniquet standards specified in most institutional STB implementations.
