The First Responder Bag by Tactical Tailor gives the user a flexible, easy-to-access medical response bag that organizes and secures its life saving medical items and/or contents. The bag’s design lends its functionality to be carried in a variety of configurations that meet an array of missions.
Exterior
Made from 1000D Cordura, the First Responder is designed as a D-shaped, top-opening medic bag and offers a high degree of abrasion resistance. Along the exterior, extensive MOLLE webbing around its circumference provides ample anchoring points for attachments, pouches, rings, or other items.
On the top-opening “lid” an accessory pouch, secured by two YKK zippers with paracord pull strings, gives immediate access to smaller, high-necessity items. On top of the accessory pouch is a sheath for medical shears, that is secured by an adjustable slide-release buckle.
The backpanel of the First Responder bag includes a removable strap with slide-release buckle that allows the medical bag to be worn around the waist, cross body, around a vehicle headrest, or removed and mount the bag to a pack/belt via malice clips (not included). The bottom of the bag has a single drainage grommet.
Interior
The interior of the First Responder features a variety of elastic cuff material with different widths to secure and organize different-sized medical items. These cuffs run along the interior of the backpanel (varying in size), along the internal divider, and along the interior of the “lid”.
There is a flexible divider, towards the front interior, that gives an internal compartment to lose items that can also be stored in the enclosed space.
The bottom of the First Responder has a high-visibility orange panel sewn into it that assists in visual recognition and eliminates any “shadow” at the bottom of the bag.
Specifications:
- 12″ (L) x 6.5″ (H) x 5.25″ (W)
- 1000D Cordura
- YKK Zipper
The First Responder comes in OD Green (featured), Black, Multicam, Ranger Green, and Coyote.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Good (4/5): For $106.65, the First Responder bag provides a solid medium between an Individual First Aid Kit, and larger dedicated medic bags. This gives the user the ability to pack medical items (or whatever you put in it) at an acceptable level to address multiple injuries or casualties. Comparable medical bags include the TSSi TACOPS Tactical EMS Bag ($89), S.O. Tec Go Bag, Mini A1 ($125), and TYR Tactical Huron Medical Waist Pack ($179) which would place Tactical Tailor’s variant at the better price point/value—although each offers something slightly different that may appeal to the wearer.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): As a whole, when fully loaded, the First Responder was amazingly comfortable (when worn around the waist) thanks in part to its D-shape design that placed the flat, soft backpanel of the bag against the flat of the lower back. Given that the bag is 1000D Cordura, it was flexible enough to contour to the body, and had sufficient rigidity to keep its shape and maintain the compartmentalization of the items inside. The only suggestion to Tactical Tailor would be to add a set of elastic belt keepers to the removable strap as when it was worn around the waist or mounted to a vehicle’s headrest, there was an excessive amount of material left dangling that proved distracting and/or snagged on items. With the addition of belt keepers, the material would be secured and kept clear of the workspace.
- Durability – Good (4/5): As stated, the First Responder is made from 1000D Cordura that gave it a high-degree of abrasion resistance. All MOLLE webbing on the exterior, and elastic bands in the interior, were reinforced with bartack stitching and gave the bag an added level of reinforcement. It should be noted that while there are two rows of MOLLE on the front to hang accessories, the backpanel has five MOLLE rows to add strength to the bag when mounting it on other packs or panels. Research of customer feedback denoted that the most common failure of the First Responder bag was in the YKK zipper, but these were from individuals who were dedicated Pararescue or EMS and used the bag extensively. It should be noted that in each stated case Tactical Tailor did honor their warrantee and replaced the bag.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): From a functional standpoint, the First Responder met the requirement of between an IFAK and dedicated medical bag. It allowed the user to store the equivalent of two+ standard IFAKs inside, with room and elastic sleeves to spare. It did however, not accommodate a full-sized Combat Life Saver bag with two IV bags and corresponding tubing/needles. This confirms the premise of design that the First Responder was one intended for immediate aid, and not advanced care. The top-opening “lid” and corresponding high-vis bottom made for very nice features that kept the contents compartmentalized and easily identifiable. The only noted suggestion here for Tactical Tailor would be to adjust the spacing of the elastic cuff material on the inside of the lid and along the divider, just as it did along the interior of the backpanel. This would improve the functionality of being able to secure different sized items in these areas rather than all similar sized ones.
- Weight – Good (4/5): Weighing in at 1 pound (empty), the amount of items added to the First Responder directly affected the overall weight born by the user. However, the bag easily held two standard IFAKs with still room, none of which made for an excessive weight around the waist nor became tiresome. The bag was worn for an average timeframe (4+ hours) and remained comfortable throughout and did not pull the waist nor body over during movement. The comparable market alternatives listed above averaged between 1 pound and 1.5 pounds (depending on Denier rating of the nylon and associated hardware), putting the First Responder bag as one of the lighter alternatives available.
Overall Rating – Good (20/25)
Product Link: https://www.tacticaltailor.com/firstresponderbag.aspx
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