Carry a Trauma Kit? YES! (A Response to The  

im a former firefighter. PLEASE CARRY YOURE TRAUMA KITS AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT. there are so many times that a bystander with a trauma kit could have changed the out come of the situation

When I watched the Armed Attornies yesterday I was like, "Oh, John isn't gonna like this...." And I have to agree. Always carry trauma kit. Absolutely bananas to suggest to someone they shouldn't. IMO.

I'd love to see a conversation between John and The Armed Attorney's if the schedules line up!

As a CERT member, an EMT,and a combat marine, and a person who stops at every accident that I come across. Carry your dang medical supplies! Those attorneys are living in a bubble filled with books, classes, and gates.

Truly one of the few times where you can legitimately say that I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6. I'd rather survive a defensive encounter because I had emergency medical supplies and live to explain it to a jury, rather than not having them at all.

I can definitely applaud the gentlemanly way you handled your critique of the matter. I really hope they issue a retraction and begin to explain themselves. This does make a wonderful case for why you should choose your attorney wisely. There have been attorneys with good intentions who have walked their clients to state prison. Good intentions don’t win cases aggressive professional defenses do or have a higher likely hood to win cases… Or at least preserve the record for a strong winnable appeal. Or keep your trauma kit with you so you can at least be alive to do your prison time

I listened to their reasons and was just stunned that I or my loved ones should bleed to death to "Look good" to a prosecutor. I think there are a lot of things to avoid on then carrying a Trauma kit. Thanks for your reasoned out great defense of using sound logic. I just renewed my Premium membership with Firearms Legal Protection.

John's point is that it could save your life or the life of a loved one. True. Armed Attorney's point is its very presence could jam you up in court. True. Anyone who watched the Rittenhouse case knows how creatively they will misrepresent in order to try to get you any way they can. I guess IMO it would be better to be alive to stand a chance at winning that court battle vs. bleeding out on scene.

The problem is that Armed Attorneys are making their recommendation from an almost purely legal perspective, not a self-defender’s perspective. And they are making a massive assumption that you’re going to win your fight with only minor bumps, bruises, and cuts at most, which is a tremendous assumption and isn’t necessarily the case. They were ultimately more concerned about legal repercussions than having a fighting chance at saving your own life or the life of someone you love. This is what happens when your expertise is so narrow that you forget to take the totality of the circumstances into account (along with their associated weights).

John, I feel like this was a mature response to their video. Good work, and I’ll keep carrying my kit

What a sad state of affairs and existence we've achieved, when having the means to preserve and save a life it's seen more like a liability, than a blessing.

Thank you for posting this John! Their video had me yelling at my computer screen lol This is what happens when you care more about a single potential line of attack from a prosecutor over saving your own life!

I understand their points, but agree with you John! I was a medic many years ago and will always carry a trauma medical kit in my car and on my person.

Also trauma med kits might not just be for shootings but just other serious injuries. I’ve seen dog attacks that luckily weren’t that serious but wished I had a med kit. I understand not wanting to be tactical commando carrying a baton and handcuffs etc but a trauma kit can save you life and others you care about.

Because of this channel, I always carry a trauma kit on my person always regardless of what an attorney may say. Just like this channel taught me and many others, act as if no one is coming to save you, that's what carrying a trauma kit means to me. I work as a non-sworn campus safety officer for a college and thankfully my department issues the tourniquet to carry on my duty belt and I carry the other trauma items on my person. Thanks active self protection and John for this valuable information and I thought it was a good discussion. Keep up the trauma kit videos, these are good 👍

I took trauma class a few months ago from a (redacted) medic. Best decision I've made in a long time. I carry a trauma kit everywhere.

If you dont have a trauma kit & you bleed out at the scene, you'll never make it in front of the prosecutor anyway. So I'd rather actually live & worry about the jury afterwards

I've been thinking of getting an EDC trauma kit. I wouldn't want to watch a family member bleed out wishing I had the tools to stop it. That is a memory I'd have to carry the rest of my life.

John, while you're coming at it from a practical POV (the keep yourself and others POV), they are looking at it from a Legal (save yourself from Jail POV) which is telling of how messed up the justice system is, within regards to self protection.

I was persuaded away from a trauma kit after watching their video but I’m glad I seen this one on my feed. I’m definitely defaulting back to making sure I have one, I’ll just hire an attorney who can defend me if it ever comes up. I still really enjoy their channel but I’d be hesitant on hiring an attorney who has a hard time defending good and moral behavior or who prefers I sacrifice the sanctity of life for an easy win in court. Thank you for boldly speaking up and talking sense back into me.

I was a boy scout for years and my father is a former nurse. Given what we have both seen in our time, we always carried an extensive one. Having one in general isn't a bad idea.

Completely agree, John. As an accountant I deal with attorneys regularly that lack perspective. You're right to describe their expertise as often limited to legal issues and proceedings. Some do break the mold of course. What she said at 10 minutes is quite myopic.

Kyle's prosecutors didn't want to mention the medical kit because they didn't want reinforce to the jury that Kyle was only there in Kenosha to help other people. Pure evil. Also, for a legal perspective, I understand their point of view. It's much easier for them if they don't have to explain a medical kit. I agree with you that it's best practice and makes you much more prepared. I also agree with you that it's better choice morally. However, if you don't have it, it makes your legal defense somewhat easier.

I also am a former fire/rescue person, and carry a 'crash bag' in my vehicle along with trauma gear oriented to 'stop the bleed'. Three departments, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Lawyers twist everything, even armed ones. A trauma kit is valuable to all.

Long ago, I was an EMT. Trauma happens. There’s a kit in a cargo pocket of my pants, NOT just because someone might get shot. My wife and I work in our wood lot with chainsaws, tractor, winches, logs. Injuries happen. As far as defense, it is never my desire to injure or kill. If I am forced to use my gun to STOP a deadly threat, and that person stops being a threat, there is no evil in trying to minimize his suffering and keep him alive to stand trial.

I am a physician and former EMT (in New York City). I agree with you wholeheartedly.

Your honor, I’m entering my appearance on behalf of my client who is present before you posthumously.

I was a combat medic in Nam and I’ve been in a gunfight when I was a cop. In the aftermath of the gunfight I was numb, wondering if that really just happened and if I was alright. In both of my cases EMTs were staged at the scene and provided aid to the guy I shot. Could I have done it myself, even w/my level of combat experience? I’m not sure to be quite truthful.

From a moral point of view you are correct. From an attorney’s point of view they are correct. And there lies the problem.

Stop the bleed is a national initiative to have more people carrying a tourniquet because they save lives

I love having the ability to see both sides backed by logical arguements.

Glad you came back with your response on this! Not carrying a trauma kit on the basis that it could be used against you in a court case is in line with not carrying personal protection because it could be used against you. It’s a chance I’m willing to take because with both, I am trying to be prepared to save my own life, and if I do not have the tools to do that, I must rely on the SECOND responders, since I am literally the first responder. How long do you have to wait on the second responders??? Seconds still count

Agreed. I was taught not to render first aid to someone you shoot in self defense. This is different from an Leo or military watch-stander where once you neutralize them as a threat, they are no longer a combatant and you become responsible for their care as a first responder. As a civilian, secure the scene, preserve evidence, call 911, but don’t aid the attacker.

I have spent 39 years as a paramedic. I have trained all of my children, grandchildren and friends how to use a trauma kit. The thought of not being prepared for a medical emergency goes against everything I stand for.

I love this discussion. Sometimes the perspective of the critical thinker can cloud the judgement. We do need to think about the fight after the fight, that's why we train to understand our rights & responsibilities. But we need to get there too, so being prepared is just smart. As a former EMT, the biggest thing that is pounded into your head in training is scene safety. When testing for the practical portion, if you didnt verify that the scene was safe, you failed. In a self defense gun fight, the scene isn't safe until the police arrive and verify it.

Thank you - I saw their video and accepted that as their opinion or wisdom, and elected to disregard it because even if it does come up in court, I’d rather have the kit because I might need it. I may even need the kit for an incident wholly unrelated to shooting or defensive encounters.

I'm glad that you covered this one, I had to duct tape my head to keep it from exploding when watching their video. Great point that they put out hundreds of videos, everyone gets things wrong sometimes and different people may look at the same subject under different light. Now, you're all busy people and I imagine that the logistics would be nearly insurmountable but I'd be interested in seeing y'all together and discussing the topic.

As a firefighter I always carry 2 battle dressings and a pair of gloves. They are compact and fit easily in pockets. I recently used them when I witnessed a man trip on the sidewalk and sustain a severe head wound. I was able to render immediate aid until first responders arrived. I always carry them.

The ammount of stuff we "should" EDC would make us all look like prison guards with riot gear on.

It blew my mind when the armed attorneys explained that by having a first aid kit I was giving prosecutors an opening into saying I was looking to kill someone if I were to be involved in a self defense shooting. Right or wrong, this issue even needing to be considered is a stunning rebuke of our legal system imo, we are beginning to mirror China where human life is to costly to preserve and it is simply better to ignore a dying man than to offer him aid simply because your liability for doing nothing is simply less. Disgusting, and any prosecutor who goes down that route should be shamed and shunned by colleagues, friends and family because they truly are despicable.

John, It was jarring to hear them say this. I felt the same way as you about carrying a trauma first aid kit. I have them in my car, home, range bag, hiking backpack. I appreciate you responding to me and your value on life. Sorry if I was one of many letting you know about the Armed Attorneys video.

Jamming someone up for having a first aid kit, saying they sought out the encounter, would be like calling someone an arsonist because they had a fire extinguisher and used it to put out a fire.

I’ll trust the lawyers with hours and years of trial experience, but thanks, John.

In a recent Safety class, we were told that your Trauma Kit will be needed more often than not for a non-gunshot incident. As you said, someone goes through a plate glass window, or a bicycle vs automobile accident, or any number of other life-threatening traumas that happen in life - not related to firearms. If you can stop severe blood loss in the first 2-5 minutes before EMS gets there, you could be the one who saves a life. So go ahead and carry that ankle kit with you. The life you save may be your own.

I am happy to see this video. I watch the Armed Attorneys frequently. When I watched this one I was set back. Every life is precious, even if it was someone's who might have ended yours. If the threat for your life has stopped, I surely would want to help.

This is crazy...I carry a trauma kit with me always, even when I am not carrying a firearm, because I want to be able to help my students, be a good Samaritan, and have the equipment necessary to save a life. She can "honestly believe" all she wants but she is on crack if she thinks its a bad idea to carry a kit. Just bizarre.

Agreed. 100%! I had the same thoughts when I saw the AA video. I'm not going to sacrifice my life or my family's life to make sure my attorney is comfortable with the case I hand them. As you said, if my attorney can't make the prosecution look like a fool for even bringing up that argument, then I have the wrong attorney.

I watched that video and i found myself shaking my head and struggling to grasp the concept of the dialog. I'm glad to see I wasn't losing my mind. Great reaction video John. I think this could provoke a follow-up video from Armed Attorneys. Hopefully.

Loved this video. When I saw their video I had to constantly remind myself they are supposedly Pro 2A and also had to remember they were former prosecutors (which was the thinking they portrayed throughout the majority of the video). If they are Pro 2A and in the role of a defense attorney they better than anyone should understand the validity of having a IFAK. Also, if I can do nothing right in the eyes of the prosecutor…taking a criminals/douche bags life is at the top of my problems and having a IFAK on me is at the bottom of the totem pole. A prosecutor could also ask why do have a red dot, compressor, etc. As the young guns would say “they reached” with that one. Wouldn’t want them representing me at all.

Wow, I watched their video earlier today. It made me second guess my carrying of my trauma kit. I'm glad I saw your response in the same day. You did a great job of explaining away their points. This was my first video of your channel, and I loved it. You've gained a subscriber.

A good prosecutor will take advantage of any and All situations. Whether it's because you carry a firearm for personal protection, or anything that may render aid to yourself or others. You are responsible for your actions. A good prosecutor will twist that to fit there own needs.

Thank you. The content on their channel is very good; almost always post incident based. The totality of the circumstances is what needs to be considered.

Perfectly explained John. Thanks for clearing this up.

I carry a kit for Myself. I will not give an assailant any first aid. They may sue Me.

As a first responder you have the right to decide whether to treat someone or not !🆘🆘

Missing in both these videos is the fact that a trauma kit is going to be used 9 times out of 10 for something other than a self defense event. Car accidents, falling off a ladder, someone slipped with a kitchen knife, etc. are all things we have done or know someone who has done. Bullets aren't the only things that cause leaks in us, not even close to a leading cause. Folks need to take a look at their actual lives and not be so myopic around firearms. They're important yes, but there's a lot more to real life than gun fights. Even most gun owners probably put more gallons of gas thru their vehicles than they do rounds thru a firearm. We need to be ready and AWARE for all life threatening hazards, not just our fantasy heroic ones with guns. It was completely irresponsible for the Armed Attorneys to even title a video with a suggestion to not carry lifesaving basics. They're supposed to be given advice to gun carrying citizens in the real world, not suggest you do something that would make their lives easier in the courtroom. I keep an IFAK with my vehicle, motorcycle, chainsaw gear, and the backpack that comes with me on adventures. We should all be looking for places to stash them that make sense for our lives and taking annual first aid courses, minimum. I'm willing to bet that the girlfriend of the young man who stopped that mall shooting last summer, who was rendering first aid afterwards, would have been very happy to have had an IFAK. Maybe fewer people would have died if there were a few of them in the crowd that day.

Excellent reasoning re: why you don't approach the downed attacker after the fight -- they can still be very dangerous and you have no team to back you up. My reasoning for carrying an IFAK is for my/my peoples possible injuries, or for any bystanders that took injuries, or even for fellow gun-range users injured by a negligent discharge. Can't thank you enough, John!

I would like not to die if I'm shot or stabbed by an attacker.

100 percent agree with John's points. Plus, it is far more likely you'll need it for some non gun incident than for gunshot wounds, and i better have one

My goal is not primarily to make my lawyers job easier. my goal in a defensive force situation is to end it with as little loss of life as necessary. A trauma kit assists that. let the lawyer do their job, you do yours.

John made a better argument than the lawyers

If you literally eviscerate your prosecutor in court, make sure you have your trauma kit handy!

Don’t carry a trama kit. Make the bad guys guys carry a trama kit for you.

The standard of care for a professional prehospital medical care from EMT/Paramedic if the scene is unsafe or their is a danger to you, you are not compelled or required to provide care under duty to help. Same applies to any Good Samaritan, if you are involved in a violent encounter where someone or some people wish to do you harm you can not be held liable for failing to act. Regardless of what training you have or gear you have on you or even if you are in uniform.

I have an ankle kit on me at all times. Just the basics to stop the bleed. I have an expanded kit in the truck but if I'm away from the truck I do not want to waste time retrieving it.

A trauma kit should be a consideration for you EDC before you even consider carrying a gun

do I wear a safety belt because I'm looking to run into something with my car?

Hey, don't group us in with those Houston people, Galveston is not Houston. The Island anyway!

The thing is the laws are designed to protect the criminals not the law abiding citizen and prosecutors and defence lawyers will anything they can to make life hard for you in court. Meanwhile the criminals get legal aid and everything, this is in Australia

...yeah, I don't wear a seat belt because I want to get into a car accident with a drunk driver driving the wrong way on the freeway.

My AIFAK is labeled "Get Yer Own AIFAK. For My Family Only". You can't sue me 🤡🤣

I got nothing but crickets on the live chat for the AA video in question when I said ASP was going to rebuttal before the video even dropped, lol

You both are Right. It's really that simple.. 2 things can be true, as the saying goes..

Thanks John for the professional response to their video.

Not too mention, if you're THAT worried about your liability, you certainly wouldn't carry a GUN...

The scariest part of her statements about her having dirty thoughts or tricks. If you are a prosecutor your goal should be to get justice for wrong doings. Not twist the truth or try and negatively influence the jury. I would never have either of these people on my legal team!

I felt like the Armed Attorneys were trying to say that those who carry/train medical are going to be viewed like those who have punisher skulls on their magazines in court. While I hate the saying “better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6,” I would rather do my best to preserve life and deal with the “consequences” later. Great video as always, John!

Wow, how big are your ankles? Making me feel self-conscious about my bird legs.

I don't often quote fictional characters but Capt. Picard said, "you can do every thing right and still lose". Do the right thing and leave the rest to fate. Duty, Honor, Country.

Thank you. I had just watched the video from Armed Attorneys and your video makes more sense and resonates with me much more on this topic.

Court rooms aside. No one is coming to save you. You better be ready to save yourself.

I carry my ankle kit every time I leave the house even when I'm not able to carry my sidearm. I often go to a military installation and not allowed to carry a firearm.

BOOM!!! Case closed!

In Arizona v. Harold Fish the prosecutor used an argument that carrying a 10mm handgun was evidence of malice, an argument that the defence should have torn to pieces, but didn't and it worked on the jury. Fish was convicted in Coconino County, Arizona of 2nd degree murder despite staying on site and rendering aid ... so, yeah, prosecutors make some evil weird arguments.

Thanks for the videos John. I like hearing both sides of this topic so I can make a better-informed decision for myself.

I 100% agree. The legal argument used against you would be easily defeated... And the risk of not having trauma supplies FAR outweighs the minimum risk

Attorneys can argue any point on both sides. That’s what they do. Every shooting is unique. The logic against carry a trauma kit is bizarre and it’s like advising against carrying a cellphone, flashlight, OC, and spare mag(s) because it could theoretically be argued against you. I too watch their videos and think they generally give reasonably sound advice but concur that they might need to revisit this position… P.S. don’t tell them, I also keep a fire extinguisher in my truck and would even keep an AED in there if they weren’t cost prohibitive.

The issue is THEY look at carrying it as weird. THEY don’t understand it

John, i asked The Armed Attorney and did not get an answer. What about us who do have a duty to act. (licensed Paramedic, Nurse etc..)? What are the ramifications for either not rendering aid, or rendering aid after a defensive use? What about carrying a IFAK? I still do. I am not 100% sure I would render aid after a defensive use of force. Depending on if I feel it is safe to do so…. But my IFAK is intended for me or mine or for someone else in an emergency that is not a self defense situation.

I've been in Fire/EMS since 2010, became a Paramedic in 2014, and have been a SWAT Medic since 2017. I teach Stop the Bleed and trauma medical to law enforcement agencies throughout my area. I agree with John 100%. The only thing I expected John to say & didn't hear was him beating the training drum. That being said, I feel very confident that, in addition to the points he has made in this response video, as he says in many many of his main channel videos, he would say, GET TRAINING. Carrying this equipment is not enough, you must: 1. Know how to use it 2. Physically train with it to become proficient in its use until such time as it has become an unconscious competency Tourniquets in particular are critical medical that every Concealed Carrier should always have on their person. You can bleed to DEATH in as little as 3 minutes from a severe traumatic extremity wound but you can bleed out enough to lose your ability to physically remain in the fight (combat effective) in as little as 30 SECONDS! THAT is the reason you must seek out training in how to identify severe extremity hemorrhage, what equipment is needed to treat it, and physically applying that knowledge in a repetitive manner until you have myelinated the skill into your brain. Begin with a Stop the Bleed class, they are FREE & are a great starting point. Great videos John, keep up the good work!

I dont always carry a weapon, (i know i should), But i always always have a small trauma kit with me, Tourniquet, packing gauze, pressure bandage and chest seals.

If I don't have a kit when I need it cuz im shot, then I won't need an attorney, I'll need a coroner

I am baffled of the 'don't bring medkits!' WTF?!

I made similar comments on their video when I saw it. Ultimately, each person has their own "why" for any given habit/posture they have. My wife and I both have get-home bags in our vehicles, that include their own med kits. However, in many situations I just feel it's prudent to have a smaller ankle kit because I may not be near my vehicle when a tragedy happens. It wouldn't matter if it was a self-defense situation. Speaking as one who is carrying concealed everywhere I'm legally allowed, I never want to be in a situation where I might have to use deadly force. But I don't get to choose if someone will be threatening my life. If it comes to it, I'll do what I need to in order to end the threat. Ending the threat doesn't automatically mean ending their life. As you pointed out, IF the threat is neutralized and IF I believe it's safe to do so, I don't believe there's anything condemning about rendering aid to even the perpetrator in order to preserve life.

There’s a bajillion other reasons to carry a kit other than a firearms incident… carry one. Would I have legal issues having a fire extinguisher and NOT using it if my house were on fire, or if I DID use it and lose the house anyway, would I not get Insurance payments?

I’m gonna essentially leave the same comment here as I did on their episode. An unethical and overzealous prosecutor will find fault and misconstrue the facts to suit their theory of guilt regardless of what you do or not do after a self-defense shooting. I have been in the criminal justice system for 25 years as both a prosecutor and private defense attorney. Once again, the most important factors in a self defense case is the actual jurisdiction it occurs, the political mindset of the elected prosecutor and judge overseeing the case. Every person should not only know the details of their own State’s self-defense laws, but truly understand the above factors if they find themselves in this type of situation. And if you do find yourself ever needing to use your firearm in self-defense, you better hire a well-versed and highly skilled Firearms attorney. I can assure you with great certainty, not all defense attorneys are equal. In Florida, the vast majority are very liberal anti-2A and far left politically aligned.

you're 100% correct. first aid is for yourself and innocent people, not bad guys. bad guys are on their own.

Out of curiosity, the Lehigh Defender, Penetrator solid, fluted, copper bullet usually lighter and faster than most defensive rounds. Has developed a reputation as barrier blind. Is this a reasonable self defense choice?

I carry one, I worked in the school system for 20 years and carried one attached to my laptop back pack every where I went. I also carried Narcan in that pack as well as tourniquet and other misc tools. Sadly its a necessity now a day.