As a contractor in South West Asia the most immediate if not important piece of survival gear is my Blow Out Kit (IFAK). In this theater snipers, rocket and mortar attacks are a constant threat. Before deploying contractors are run through a one week orientation at Fort Benning, Georgia, were we received training on various subjects including IEDs, booby traps, and one day of buddy care/first aid in which we are thought how to use the contents of the Army’s current issue IFAK. On the day we were fitted and issued body armor I was surprised that all we got in the way of first aid supplies was an empty compass case. During training we were tought not to use the contents of our IFAKS on anybody but yourself, no problem with an empty pouch! Once I arrived in theater my first order of business was ordering an Army issue IFAK off eBay for $34 and shipped Priority Mail to my APO. It arrived new and unissued a couple weeks later. While all its components were all serviceable I decided to update it is by adding and or replacing items with; 14ga catheter, QC Combat Gauze, surgical lube for the NPA, nitrile gloves, and fresh 4” combat dressing from North American Rescue. This kit is now attached to my Interceptor Body Armor along with a Victorinox New Soldier Knife.