TacMed™ Compact Trauma Bandage
A complete pressure dressing in the smallest possible footprint — flat-folded, vacuum-sealed, 1.8 oz, with a 6-year shelf life. The definitive minimalist EDC bandage.
What is the Compact Trauma Bandage (CTB)? A flat-folded, vacuum-sealed pressure dressing for moderate hemorrhage control in a minimal footprint. It measures just 4 in. × 3.5 in. × 0.75 in. compacted, weighs 1.8 oz, and includes an integrated 4 in. elastic wrap, sterile wound pad, and a 6-year shelf life — built for EDC kits, pocket-size first aid, and ultra-minimal IFAK builds.
Key Specifications
| Manufacturer | Tactical Medical Solutions (TacMed™) |
| Packaged (compacted) | L 4 in. × W 3.5 in. × D 0.75 in. |
| Packaged (flat) | L 7.5 in. × W 5.75 in. × D 0.75 in. |
| Unrolled | L 60 in. × W 4 in. |
| Wound Pad | L 5.5 in. × W 4 in. |
| Weight | 1.8 oz (51 g) |
| Shelf Life | 6 years |
| Sterility | Sterile, vacuum-sealed flat |
| Latex | Latex-free |
What It Is
The Compact Trauma Bandage answers a specific need: a legitimate, complete pressure dressing that fits in a cargo pocket or a rear pocket. At 1.8 oz and a compacted cube of 4 in. × 3.5 in. × 0.75 in., the CTB is physically smaller than most cellphone wallets and lighter than most IFAK accessories — yet it deploys to a full 60 in. × 4 in. elastic wrap with an integrated sterile wound pad suitable for managing moderate extremity hemorrhage.
The CTB is flat-folded and vacuum-sealed into a rectangular package that stacks efficiently in any flat compartment, resisting the bulge and rattle of rolled bandages. The integrated elastic wrap provides the compression force needed for effective direct pressure, and the sterile 5.5 in. × 4 in. wound pad covers moderate extremity wounds.
The 6-year shelf life is consistent with tactical medical product standards, making the CTB practical for long-term kit stocking. It is produced by Tactical Medical Solutions — the same Anderson, SC manufacturer behind the OLAES and OLAES Hemostatic Bandage — with manufacturing quality consistent with U.S. military-grade medical supply standards. Its low unit cost makes it well suited to bulk kit stocking, public-access bleeding-control stations, and training scenarios.
Operating Notes
- Integrated sterile wound pad sized for moderate extremity wounds.
- Elastic wrap supplies circumferential compression for direct-pressure dressing.
- Intuitive printed instructions are included in the packaging.
- Not a substitute for accredited bleeding-control training.
For a more comprehensive single-item dressing, see the full Bandages & Dressings collection, including the OLAES and OLAES Hemostatic Bandage. Complete your kit with Massive Hemorrhage Control items.
When to Choose This
- EDC (everyday carry) kit builders who want a legitimate clinical-grade pressure dressing in a cargo pocket or waistband pouch — the CTB's compacted 4" × 3.5" × 0.75" footprint and 1.8 oz weight fit where rolled bandages don't.
- Ultra-minimal IFAK builders pairing the CTB with a single tourniquet and a hemostatic agent for the smallest possible life-saving kit — ideal for ankle kits, vehicle glovebox kits, and range bags where volume is the binding constraint.
- Bulk kit stocking for training programs, public bleeding-control stations, and institutional first-aid deployments where low unit cost (CTB is among TacMed's most affordable dressings) and a 6-year shelf life make large-volume stocking practical.
- Supplement to a primary dressing — carried as a second bandage in a full IFAK or medic bag when a second moderate-bleed capability is needed without the size/weight of a full OLAES.
vs. The Alternatives
vs. The Alternatives
CTB vs. OLAES Modular Bandage: The OLAES is the full-capability choice — 3 m of wound-packing gauze, occlusive sheet, eye shield, and pressure cup at 3–3.7 oz. The CTB is the minimalist choice: no packing gauze, no chest seal, but half the bulk in its compacted form. CTB is right when space and weight are the primary constraint; OLAES when you need multi-function versatility.
CTB vs. Israeli Emergency Bandage (4"): The IEB 4" and CTB cover similar wound management scenarios. The IEB uses a rigid plastic closure bar and rolls to a cylindrical shape that occupies more volume than the CTB's vacuum-sealed flat pack. The CTB's 4" × 3.5" × 0.75" compacted package stacks more efficiently in flat kit compartments and EDC sleeves.
CTB vs. standard rolled gauze dressings: Rolled gauze dressings lack the elastic compression wrap that delivers sustained direct pressure — they're packing material, not pressure dressings. The CTB's integrated elastic wrap applies the circumferential compression needed to control moderate extremity hemorrhage without a separate secondary bandage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the CTB include hemostatic gauze?
A: No. The Compact Trauma Bandage includes a sterile 5.5" × 4" wound pad and a 60" × 4" elastic wrap — it is a pressure dressing, not a wound-packing kit. For deep wound packing with hemostatic capability, pair the CTB with QuikClot Combat Gauze or carry an OLAES Modular Bandage which includes 3 m of zig-zag gauze.
Q: What wounds is the CTB sized for?
A: The CTB is designed for moderate extremity hemorrhage — cuts, lacerations, and through-and-through wounds on arms and legs where direct pressure with an elastic wrap controls bleeding. It is not sized for large surface-area blast injuries or penetrating chest wounds. The 5.5" × 4" wound pad covers moderate wound openings effectively.
Q: Why is it vacuum-sealed flat instead of rolled?
A: Vacuum-sealed flat packaging achieves a 4" × 3.5" × 0.75" compacted footprint versus the cylindrical bulk of a rolled bandage. It stacks efficiently in flat kit compartments, EDC wallets, and cargo pockets without the rattle or unroll risk of loose rolled gauze. The 6-year shelf life is maintained within the vacuum seal.
Q: Is the CTB CoTCCC-recommended?
A: The CTB is not specifically listed as a CoTCCC-recommended device — CoTCCC recommendations typically address tourniquets, hemostatic dressings, and chest seals. The CTB is a pressure dressing manufactured by Tactical Medical Solutions (the same Anderson, SC facility that produces the CoTCCC-recommended OLAES) and meets the quality standards of military-grade medical supplies.
Related searches: compact trauma bandage, EDC pressure dressing, pocket trauma bandage, minimalist IFAK bandage, vacuum-sealed flat bandage.
All products sourced from the actual brand manufacturer or authorized master distributors. CoTCCC recommendation status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.
Specifications coming soon. Contact us for detailed product information.
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