USMC Combat Lifesaver Kit

North American Rescue — Official USMC CLS Platform

The official Combat Lifesaver bag of the Marine Corps — a fully stocked 1000D Cordura® nylon CLS platform in Coyote Tan, loaded with three C-A-T® tourniquets, three QuikClot Combat Gauze® XL, airway, needle decompression, chest seals, splinting, burn care, and documentation for 2–4 casualty treatment. L 12 × W 10 × D 8″, 6 lb 14 oz. SKU 80-0159, NSN 6545-01-571-4470.

The Combat Lifesaver bridges the gap between the individual and the medic — a non-medical Marine trained to deliver TCCC interventions for a small element. That role needs a platform stocked and laid out to treat multiple casualties under stress, not a scaled-up IFAK.

What does the Marine Corps actually issue its Combat Lifesavers?

This kit — the actual field procurement chosen through Marine Corps evaluation and acquisition, not a civilian interpretation. It's NAR's benchmark CLS platform: a 1000D Cordura® solution-dyed nylon bag with ITW Nexus hardware and sand/water-resistant silent-pull zippers, opening to 37.5″ for clear access during active treatment. The loadout covers all four TCCC life threats in 2–4-casualty quantities: three C-A-T® tourniquets (Black) and three QuikClot® Z-Fold Combat Gauze® XL for hemorrhage; a Guedel airway and a 28F nasopharyngeal airway for airway; four ARS® needle decompression devices for bilateral tension pneumothorax; and two USMC HyFin® Chest Seal Combo Packs (one vented + one non-vented seal each) for penetrating chest wounds. Burn care runs through BurnTec and burn dressings; a Model 8 Rescue Hook handles entrapment cut-away; five Combat Casualty Response Cards document through a mass-casualty event. Coyote Tan only, per USMC color standard.

The Marine Corps Standard.

Genuine North American Rescue, shipped from a clinician-founded, veteran-led team.

When to Deploy USMC Combat Lifesaver Kit

• Unit-level TCCC first response: The USMC Combat Lifesaver Kit equips the designated non-medical service member to execute the MARCH-PAWS algorithm for casualties at the squad and platoon level before a Corpsman arrives.
• Care Under Fire hemorrhage control: Contains the CoTCCC-recommended tourniquet and hemorrhage-control items for immediate application during active fire — the CLS executes tourniquet placement at the point of injury.
• Tactical Field Care casualty treatment: Moving from CUF to TFC, the CLS opens the kit for wound packing, airway adjuncts, chest seal application, and hypothermia prevention using kit contents.
• Pre-deployment readiness: Issued as a complete ready-to-use combat lifesaver kit at pre-deployment inspection, ensuring every designated CLS has a validated supply load before movement.
• Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and ship's company: Standard issue for designated CLSs aboard ship and in MEU formations where a full corpsman is not always collocated with the CLS.

How USMC Combat Lifesaver Kit Compares

• USMC Combat Lifesaver Kit vs individual IFAK: The individual IFAK (STORM IFAK, EAGLE IFAK) is a self-aid kit worn by every combatant. The CLS kit is a higher-capacity treatment kit carried by the designated CLS to treat others — not a replacement for the individual IFAK. Browse Individual IFAK Kits.

• USMC CLS Kit vs Army CLS Resupply Kit: The USMC CLS Kit is a complete ready-to-use kit platform; the Army CLS Resupply Kit is a resupply set. Service-specific doctrine dictates which applies. Browse Medic Bags & Kits.

• USMC CLS Kit vs NAR CLS Bag + Resupply Kit: The CLS bag and resupply kit combination is the modular system; the complete CLS Kit comes as a ready-to-issue integrated platform. Both serve the same CLS mission.

• NAR USMC CLS Kit vs generic military first aid kit: Generic military first aid kits (AFAK, standard issue) do not include the trauma-specific CoTCCC-recommended items required for combat casualty care. The USMC CLS Kit is configured specifically for the Combat Lifesaver's TCCC mission.

Frequently Asked Questions — USMC Combat Lifesaver Kit

Q: Is the USMC Combat Lifesaver Kit CoTCCC-compliant?

A: The USMC Combat Lifesaver Kit is designed to support the USMC Combat Lifesaver program and TCCC protocols. CoTCCC-recommended items (C-A-T tourniquet, HyFin chest seal, hemostatic gauze) are standard kit inclusions. Verify current contents with narescue.com or MED-TAC International.

Q: Who is designated as a USMC Combat Lifesaver?

A: The USMC CLS is a non-medical Marine trained in advanced combat casualty care skills beyond self-aid. Designation is at the unit commander's discretion — typically one or more CLSs per squad or section. CLS training is typically 40 hours and covers MARCH, IV access, and airway management basics.

Q: Does this kit replace the individual IFAK?

A: No. Every Marine should carry an individual IFAK for self-aid. The CLS kit is an additional capability carried by the designated Combat Lifesaver for treating others — it supplements, not replaces, individual IFAK distribution.

Q: What is the NSN or procurement path for the USMC Combat Lifesaver Kit?

A: Contact MED-TAC International for current NSN, CAGE code, and DLA/GSA procurement information for government orders of the USMC Combat Lifesaver Kit.

Q: Can the USMC CLS Kit be resupplied with the USMC CLS Resupply Kit?

A: Yes. After depletion in training or combat, the USMC CLS Resupply Kit provides the doctrine-correct contents to return the CLS bag to operational status. Maintain resupply kits in the unit's logistics cache at a 1:1 ratio with CLS bags.