1. ESTABLISH PROTOCOL PODS: Lay out all required medical supplies and organize them into modular kits by treatment category, including Airway, IV/IO, Bleeding, Orthopedic, and Medications. Label each pocket as needed to support rapid identification under operational stress.
2. CONFIGURE AND ATTACH MODULAR POCKETS: Attach the Velcro-backed internal pockets to the interior lid of the main compartment. Position highest-priority kits, such as massive hemorrhage control, in the most accessible locations within the lid panel.
3. LOAD THE MAIN COMPARTMENT: Place the heaviest and most bulky items, including the BVM, IV fluids, and sleeved O2 cylinder, at the bottom of the compartment and as close to the operator's back as possible. Secure the O2 cylinder using the two internal Velcro retention straps. A loose compressed gas cylinder is an impact hazard.
4. LOAD EXTERIOR POCKETS: Load side pockets with SAM splints and cervical collars. Load front gusseted pockets with tourniquets, pressure dressings, and hemostatic agents. Load the front zippered pocket with the BP cuff, stethoscope, pulse oximeter, PPE, and triage materials.
5. CONDUCT FINAL WEIGHT AND BALANCE CHECK: Lift the loaded pack and verify the load does not shift excessively. Target a packed weight at or below 20 to 25 percent of the operator's body weight to preserve agility and endurance over the approach.
6. DON AND ADJUST THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN SEQUENCE: Loosen all straps before putting the pack on. First, position the waist belt directly over the iliac crest and cinch it tightly so the hips carry approximately 80 percent of the load. Second, pull the shoulder strap adjustment tabs down and forward until the straps are snug with no gap, but confirm the shoulders are not carrying the primary load. Third, buckle and tighten the chest strap across the sternum to pull the shoulder straps inward and increase overall stability.
7. MOVE TO PATIENT LOCATION: Proceed to the patient using caution on uneven terrain. The properly adjusted suspension system will prevent the pack from swaying and contributing to loss of balance on the approach.
8. POSITION THE PACK ON SCENE: Place the pack on the most stable and flat surface available near the patient's torso. Avoid surfaces that will tip or destabilize the pack during treatment.
9. ESTABLISH THE FIELD WORKSPACE: Unzip the main compartment zippers completely and open the pack into its full clamshell configuration. This presents all internal modular pouches and main compartment contents simultaneously for immediate visual identification and access.
10. EXECUTE TREATMENT: Retrieve supplies as directed by patient assessment and organizational protocols. The open clamshell layout functions as a forward aid station, minimizing time spent searching for equipment during active patient care.
11. CONDUCT POST-MISSION SUSTAINMENT: After patient contact, treat the entire pack as a contaminated surface. Remove all medical supplies, clean the interior and exterior per agency protocols for bloodborne pathogen exposure using a stiff brush and mild detergent, and air dry completely out of direct sunlight before restocking or storing.
12. INSPECT AND RETURN TO READINESS: Perform a full pre-mission inspection covering zippers, straps and webbing, buckles and hardware, the Cordura fabric body, and all interior retention components. Remove the pack from service and document any damage to load-bearing components including shoulder straps, waist belt, or main handles.
