What is an EDC Medical Bag ?
Updated: Nov 9, 2021
EDC stands for Every Day Carry. An EDC medical bag contains general medical supplies that are needed on a daily basis. Individual first aid kits (IFAKs) are limited in the sense that they do not contain the regular basic first aid supplies that are needed daily.
A lot of IFAKs contain the necessary medical supplies to stop severe bleeding such as pressure dressing, tourniquet, etc., but things like bandages, gauze pads, tape, and over-the-counter medications, which the EDC medical bag contains, are not usually present. Some of the contents of the EDC include
Trauma medical supplies such as
A Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) which can be used to stop bleeding from extremities.
Compressed gauze which can be used with a compression bandage to control a hemorrhage, and also as backing gauze for wound dressing
Nitrile Gloves which are used to protect the user from contaminating a wound when treating a patient.
Basic first aid supplies such as
Gauze pads which are used to clean, dress, debride, or a temporary absorbent for wounds.
Conforming stretch gauze roll which can be used for hard casts, soft casts, wrapping and securing splints, securing insulating material.
Adhesive bandages which protect wounds from bacteria, friction, dirt, and damage.
Medications and Topicals such as
Triple antibiotic ointment which is used to treat and prevent minor skin infections that are caused by burns, scrapes, or small cuts.
Ibuprofen which is a painkiller that relieves pain from headaches, toothache, arthritis, muscle aches, or menstrual cramps.
Diphenhydramine which can be used to relieve itchy, irritated, watery, red eyes and runny nose which is caused by allergies, common cold, or hay fever.
CPR supplies such as
CPR face shield which is used to deliver rescue breaths to a victim safely when providing CPR.
Conclusion
An EDC medical bag is a medical bag with extensive contents. It can be taken along on a journey in your backpack, suitcase, or car. It provides the everyday medical supply you need for basic first aid to severe trauma.