Expeditionary Casualty Response Kit

How many casualties can the ECRK treat?

The ECRK carries supplies for 6 simultaneous trauma casualties: 6 C-A-T® Tourniquets, 6 each of 6 in. and 8 in. × 10 in. ETDs, 4 Combat Gauze hemostatic dressings, 4 HyFin® Chest Seal Combo Packs, 4 Nasopharyngeal Airways, and 4 Needle Decompression Devices — plus a R.E.E.L. Non-Rigid Litter for casualty extraction.

How is the ECRK mounted in a vehicle or boat?

The ECRK includes two external straps with dual-adjust MILSPEC IR-reduced buckles specifically designed to secure the kit to a vehicle seat, bulkhead, or boat deck. This prevents the bag from sliding or tipping during transit, ensuring supplies remain organized and accessible upon arrival at scene.

What is the color-coded pouch system?

The ECRK's internal main compartment contains 6 segregated, removable pouches with colored pull handles: Red-handled Bleed Pouches (4), Blue-handled Airway Pouch (1), and Coyote-handled Miscellaneous Pouch (1). This color coding allows medics to immediately locate the correct supply category under stress, reducing time-to-treatment in chaotic environments.

Are the contents CoTCCC-recommended?

Yes. The ECRK's primary hemorrhage control supplies — 6 C-A-T® Tourniquets and 4 Combat Gauze Z-Fold Hemostatic Dressings — are both CoTCCC-recommended. The HyFin® Chest Seal Combo Packs are also CoTCCC-recommended for penetrating chest wounds. The bag contains a complete CoTCCC-aligned supply manifest for 6-casualty operations.

What is the R.E.E.L. Non-Rigid Litter?

The R.E.E.L. (Rescue Emergency Evacuation Litter) Non-Rigid Litter is a compact, lightweight casualty evacuation litter included in the ECRK. It stores in the kit's separate lid compartment and deploys rapidly for moving injured casualties across terrain or through confined spaces where a rigid litter cannot be used.

Does the ECRK contain CoTCCC-recommended items?

Yes. The ECRK includes six CoTCCC-recommended C-A-T® tourniquets, Combat Gauze hemostatic dressings, and HyFin® Vent Chest Seals. The complete kit addresses all three CoTCCC top causes of preventable death — hemorrhage, tension pneumothorax, and airway obstruction — for six simultaneous casualties.

What makes the ECRK pouch system different from other trauma bags?

The six removable, color-coded pouches are the defining feature: four red bleed pouches, one blue airway pouch, and one coyote miscellaneous pouch. The color system allows medics to grab the correct category under extreme stress by color alone — no reading required. Each pouch attaches via hook-and-loop pull tabs and can be distributed to treating personnel individually.

Can the ECRK be secured in a military vehicle?

Yes. Two dual-adjust MILSPEC IR-reduced buckle straps are included specifically for vehicle and boat mounting. The straps thread through standard MOLLE or cargo management points and hold the kit securely against vehicle movement, vibration, and braking forces in tactical driving conditions.

What NSN covers the ECRK for military procurement?

The ECRK (SKU 80-0484) contains multiple NSN-listed components (C-A-T®, Combat Gauze, HyFin®, ARS® needles). The complete kit assembly NSN should be confirmed with North American Rescue or through the DLA medical supply catalog. Contact MED-TAC International for unit and agency procurement support.

Is the R.E.E.L. litter included in the ECRK adequate for helicopter CASEVAC?

The R.E.E.L. (Rapid Expeditionary Evacuation Litter) is a non-rigid litter rated for casualty carry — it handles ground evacuation and short-distance extraction effectively. For helicopter CASEVAC, a rigid or semi-rigid litter is generally preferred. The R.E.E.L. serves as the organic evacuation capability in the ECRK for cases where a dedicated litter is unavailable.