The three main categories of kits you need to be familiar with are:

1. Joint First Aid Kit (JFAK); used by nonmedical personnel who are proficient in basic lifesaving TCCC skills.
2. Combat Lifesaver (CLS) Bag; used by nonmedical personnel who are more advanced care to treat the most common causes of death on the battlefield and to recognize, prevent, and communicate with medical personnel.
3. Combat Medic/Corpsman (CMC) Aid Bags; used by medical personnel and are the first medical provider to care for the casualty in the prehospital environment and is expected to provide more advanced care requiring significantly more medical knowledge and skills.

The contents of each of these kits are similar but reflect the TCCC scope of care of the responders intended to use the kit. If there are equipment options approved by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC), they must be used. For many, but not all, equipment categories, the CoTCCC has made evidence-based recommendations that will help ensure equipment failure is minimized. Some medical providers will have a preference for certain brands based on availability and history of use, but these should not be used in lieu of a CoTCCC-recommended product, if one is available. Not all products are used the same way or have the same effectiveness.

This lesson provides an opportunity to get a hands-on introduction to the kits and their contents. The equipment discussed supports the provision of TCCC per the current guidelines and enables the All Service Member, Combat Lifesaver, or Combat Medic/Corpsmen to address issues identified in Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, and TACEVAC Care using the MARCH PAWS approach.