S.P.E.A.R. TRAUMA KIT

FEATURE_Trauma Kit On Belt (2)

The Dark Angel Medical Special Purpose Emergency Aid Rig (S.P.E.A.R.) Trauma Kit is the newest addition to the Dark Angel Medical product line. The S.P.E.A.R. Trauma Kit was five years in the making. Dark Angel Medical looked at existing low-profile trauma kits and how they could improve them. The S.P.E.A.R. Trauma Kit was the result.

Dark Angel’s Kerry “Pocket Doc” Davis instructing his D.A.R.T. course.

One feature that sets the S.P.E.A.R. Trauma Kit apart from other kits is its pouch. The pouch is made for Dark Angel Medical by First Spear. It is constructed of Brookwood Squadron®, a durable, high-strength, laser-cuttable laminate that has been proven in the harshest conditions. The pouch is low-profile and designed to be as snag-proof as possible. It is designed for maximum retention utilizing Fastex® side-release buckles. The outer cover is laser cut to accept 4″ MALICE clips (included with kit) to enable you to attach the pouch to a MOLLE-compatible attachment system or a belt up to 2″ wide via the belt channel for versatility.

Speed is of the essence in a medical emergency. The S.P.E.A.R. Trauma Kit is rapidly deployable from either side. You click the buckle and grab the red pull handle to deploy the kit. Pull the center tab, and the entire kit opens to display the contents for quick access to the lifesaving components. Elastic bands retain the components. The tourniquet band is designed to hold either the CAT® Gen 7 or the SOF-T® Gen 5 (substitute option). The kit is easily handed off to other team members or medics when responding to incidents with multiple casualties.

The S.P.E.A.R. Trauma Kit is a new low-profile kit from Dark Angel Medical that was five years in the making. It is constructed by First Spear out of durable Squadron laminate.

The outer cover is designed to protect all components and serve as a “Tourniquet Garage” to protect the tourniquet from the elements, unlike the other low-profile trauma kits on the market that leave the tourniquet exposed. It also greatly reduces the chances of the tourniquet snagging and potentially losing it. The front of the outer cover has loop VELCRO® to attach an identifier patch, such as the optional Dark Angel Medical Identifier P.V.C. Patch.

The kit is deployed from either side by releasing buckle and grabbing red pull handle. The outer cover protects the kit components, including the tourniquet, from the elements.

The concept behind all Dark Angel Medical trauma kits is best summed up by the company’s motto: “Simplicity Under Stress.” The S.P.E.A.R. Trauma Kit contains the essential items you must have when rendering aid to a trauma victim and nothing that you don’t.

The whole kit easily opens to display trauma kit components by pulling the center tab. The components are retained by elastic bands

The S.P.E.A.R. Trauma Kit comes standard with:

One 12′ roll of hemostatic gauze (your choice of QuikClot® Bleeding Control Dressing or ChitoGauze® XR Pro)
One pair of chest seals
One compression bandage
One 12′ roll of standard compressed gauze
A pair of nitrile gloves
Mylar® blanket
CAT® Gen 7 tourniquet (SOF-T® Gen 5 can be substituted)
A Curaplex® nasopharyngeal airway 30F

The complete kit measures 7″ W x 6″ D x 2.5″ H. It weighs 17 ounces.

Only as Good as Your Training

Training is key. Not only do you need the necessary tools, you also need to know how to use them.

Having the necessary tools is only part of the equation. Equipment is only as good as your training. Basic emergency medical training should cover the entire spectrum of lifesaving skills. And like shooting, they’re perishable skills. We all know the importance of regular firearms training, but medical training is often neglected. You are more likely to need to use medical skills than you are your firearm.

The outer cover is laser cut to accept 4″ MALICE clips or a belt up to 2″ wide. Malice clips are included with the kit.

Dark Angel Medical offers its outstanding two-day Direct Action Response Training (D.A.R.T.) course at various locations around the country, which gives all participants B.C.O.N. (Bleeding Control) certification from the American College of Surgeons. It also provides 16 hours of continuing education units (C.E.U.s) to NREMT EMTs and Paramedics. I have taken the D.A.R.T. course and highly recommend it. No matter your current training level, you will get a lot out of it.

My Thoughts

The S.P.E.A.R. Trauma Kit is an outstanding addition to any battle belt/operator belt or chest rig/plate carrier setup. It’s also a great addition to a go bag. As with all Dark Angel Medical products that I have evaluated, it is very well thought out and of the highest quality, which is essential when lives are on the line. It is not designed as an E.D.C. trauma kit. Still, Dark Angel Medical has you covered there, too, with other excellent kits in its line designed specifically for E.D.C.

The S.P.E.A.R. Trauma Kit does not come with trauma shears, which are essential. I carry my trauma shears separately. I also keep a Sharpie® permanent marker to mark the tourniquet application time.

Purchasing

The S.P.E.A.R. Trauma Kit is available in black, coyote brown, ranger green, Multicam®, and Multicam Black® color options. The price is $199.95. It is made in the U.S.A. and Berry Compliant. The optional Dark Angel Medical Identifier P.V.C. Patch is $1.99.

For more info or to purchase, go to www.darkangelmedical.com. Dark Angel Medical is a supplier to the U.S. military, Federal law enforcement, local law enforcement, and civilians. DUNS #: 078472585. CAGE Code: 6R7W4. Dark Angel Medical is a veteran-owned and operated business.

All Dark Angel Medical trauma kits are covered by Dark Angel Medical’s exclusive “Med Kit for Life” program. If you ever use one of their kits to save a life, provide them with official documentation, and they’ll replace anything you have used for free, with free shipping too!