Why one flight medic builds his chest rig around speed, not storage
If you carry a med kit for work or as part of an armed response role, how you access it under stress matters as much as what's in it. In a video from PrepMedic, critical care flight paramedic and TEMS medic Sam walks through a chest rig he built specifically for helicopter operations and search-and-rescue work, where space is tight and seconds count.
Snapshot
Sam breaks down a modular chest rig built around a placard system instead of a fixed bag, so pieces can be swapped or eventually moved to a plate carrier. His main point: this setup isn't for every medic, but when you need fast access in a cramped aircraft or a complex rescue, it beats digging through a large bag or a rigid kit.
Key points
- Modular base: Sam builds the rig on a placard with FirstSpear quick-release tubes and an H-harness, so it's easier to don, doff, and adjust for shoulder mobility issues.
- Front-loaded priorities: Frequently used items like syringes, IV-start gear, and flushes sit up front, while bulkier rescue tools stay in less accessible spots.
- Airway and trauma ready: Cric kit, decompression needle, finger-thoracostomy tools, and a chest seal are placed for immediate access.
- Comms and tech built in: A dedicated radio sleeve and a phone/EUD mount handle protocols, checklists, mapping, and team tracking.
- Detachable extras: The IFAK, hand warmers, and winter layers can be removed so the rig still fits helicopter seating and harnesses.
Quick take
Sam is upfront that this isn't a universal recommendation, it's a rig shaped by his specific aviation and rescue work. But the underlying logic, sorting gear by how often you actually reach for it and testing that gear in the real environment you'll use it in, applies directly to anyone building a medical setup for fast access under pressure.
Watch the full video: PrepMedic