A tape roll eats volume in a compact kit, and the loose end finds itself and sticks down before you can use it. In a chest-mounted or thigh IFAK, a round roll is the part that never packs right.
How do you carry real medical tape in a kit with no room for a roll?
The flat-pack format. Six 2″ × 15″ strips of genuine 3M Durapore™ silk tape, tri-folded and lightly vacuum-sealed in a resealable poly bag just 0.34″ thick. Each strip peels off one-handed with gloves on. Durapore holds firmly to skin and devices yet repositions without tearing skin — the right behavior for prolonged field care where dressings get adjusted.
Built for Compact Kits
Genuine 3M Durapore™
Strong skin and device adhesion that still repositions without skin damage on re-taping.
Flat-Pack, 0.34″ Thick
Six strips in a resealable bag that fits chest-mounted, wrist, and thigh IFAKs where a roll won't.
Glove-On Application
Easy-release backing peels single-handed under stress, even gloved.
Resealable, Repackable
Unused strips stay protected between uses; the kit repacks without degradation.
Clinical Use Cases
Common applications
- IV line and extension-set fixation
- Sealing chest-seal or transparent-dressing edges
- Securing nasal or supraglottic airways
- Reinforcing hemostatic pressure dressings
- Labeling med vials and IV bags
Who Carries It
Tactical & combat medics — the medical-tape side of every IFAK
EMS & clinics — IV, dressing, and airway fixation
Kit builders — roll-free tape for slim builds
Round Out the Kit
Many builds carry both tape types — medical and high-strength.
2″ Flat Medical Tape
Real Tape. No Roll.
Genuine North American Rescue, shipped from a clinician-founded, veteran-led team.
Genuine North American Rescue
Sourced direct from North American Rescue.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | North American Rescue |
| SKU | ZZ-0576 |
| Tape Type | 3M Durapore™ silk medical tape |
| Strips | 6 × 2″ × 15″ |
| Total Tape | 90″ (7.5 ft) |
| Packaged Dimensions | 7.5″ H × 3″ W × 0.34″ D |
| Weight | 1.1 oz |
| Packaging | Vacuum-sealed resealable poly bag |
| Origin | Made in USA |
When to Deploy 2" Flat Medical Tape
- IV/IO Line Fixation: Field medics and EMTs use Durapore strips to anchor catheters during hemorrhagic-shock resuscitation where a roll of tape is impractical.
- Chest Seal Edge Sealing: Tactical medicine providers apply a strip around the perimeter of HyFin® Vent seals to reinforce adhesion on diaphoretic or hairy chest walls.
- Airway Device Anchoring: NPA and supraglottic airway devices require tape fixation during CASEVAC; the flat strip deploys one-handed with gloves on.
- Compact IFAK and Vacuum-Sealed Kits: Kit builders and unit supply teams choose flat-pack format because a roll won't fit — this 0.34" profile drops into any IFAK cavity.
- Extended Field Care (EFC): During prolonged field care, providers use remaining strips for dressing reinforcement, labeling IV bags, and splint edge taping.
- Training and Simulation Cadres: Medical training programs stock flat-pack tape for skills stations so trainees practice realistic packaging without burning through roll inventory.
Field Tip: Best practice: carry a minimum of one flat-pack per IFAK. Two strips are typically enough to secure an IV catheter and dressing; reserve the remaining four for airway or chest seal reinforcement during prolonged care.
How 2" Flat Medical Tape Compares
Flat Pack vs. Standard Roll: A standard 2" Durapore roll occupies 2–3× the volume of the flat-pack kit and tends to unwind against gear. The ZZ-0576 flat-pack compresses to 0.34" — fitting chest-mounted, wrist, and thigh IFAKs where a roll simply does not pack.
Durapore vs. Standard Cloth Medical Tape: Generic cloth tapes lack Durapore's water-resistance and repositionability. In wet or diaphoretic conditions, standard cloth tape fails at the adhesive line; Durapore's silicone-acrylic backing maintains hold on moist skin while still allowing repositioning without tearing.
Flat Pack vs. Gecko Grip Tape: The NAR Gecko Grip Tape uses T-REX® high-strength tape for securing gear, splints, and litter straps — it is not medical-grade for skin adhesion. The 2" Flat Medical Tape (ZZ-0576) is the correct choice for IV sites, airways, and wound dressings; carry both for complete capability.
Both products are available in the IFAK Kits collection for complete kit builds.
Frequently Asked Questions — 2" Flat Medical Tape
Q: Is the NAR 2" Flat Medical Tape CoTCCC-recommended?
A: The tape itself is a consumable supply item, not a device subject to CoTCCC device recommendations. CoTCCC recommends specific tourniquets, hemostatic dressings, and chest seals; tape is a universally required ancillary supply in all CoTCCC-compliant IFAK protocols.
Q: What training is required to use this tape?
A: No specialized training is required beyond basic first aid or TCCC/TECC familiarization. Tape application is taught as a foundational skill in all CoTCCC CLS, All-Combatant, and TCCC/TECC curricula.
Q: Is this tape compatible with HyFin® Vent Chest Seals?
A: Yes. Durapore tape is widely used to reinforce HyFin® Vent Compact and standard HyFin® seal borders on patients with chest hair, diaphoresis, or fragile skin, where the seal adhesive alone may lift. Apply a 2" strip around the perimeter after placing the seal.
Q: Does the NAR 2" Flat Tape have an NSN or GSA contract?
A: The ZZ-0576 flat-pack is a North American Rescue catalog item available through authorized distributors including MED-TAC International. For government procurement via DLA or GSA, contact MED-TAC International for current contract availability and NSN lookup.
Q: How does the resealable bag affect shelf life?
A: The tri-folded strips are lightly vacuum-sealed inside a resealable poly bag rated to preserve the Durapore adhesive for the manufacturer's stated shelf life. Once opened, unused strips can be returned to the resealable bag; the adhesive remains effective for subsequent uses provided the strips are not contaminated or excessively heat-exposed.
Related searches: NAR 2 inch flat medical tape, 3M Durapore flat pack, silk medical tape strips, IFAK medical tape, vacuum sealed medical tape, North American Rescue ZZ-0576
All products sourced direct from North American Rescue. CoTCCC recommendation status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.
Available Options:
- Single Flat Unit
Specifications coming soon. Contact us for detailed product information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
