AfterSHOT: Dark Angel Medical’s New Product Lineup

“Bleeding isn’t sexy.” That's the tagline of Dark Angel Medical founder Kerry Davis. Known for years as a go-to provider for TCCC gear, med kits and training for those in the know, Dark Angel continues to up their game by providing a suite of new products in 2016 — and some upgrades to the existing product line.

Let’s give you a run down of the new Dark Angel medical kits before you bleed out with anticipation.

The 400 lb gorilla in the Dark Angel lineup last year was the St Mike Bag, which is one gurney short of a full mobile hospital. Davis thought that a kit that large might be too much equipment for the normal folk, so what would happen if he reduced the size to something more manageable? What if it could be damn near indestructible, airtight, watertight and could fit easily in your boat, truck, suv, or bike basket? Well, then you would have the CAN – short for Casualty Aid Necessities. The CAN is designed as a pouch that fits perfectly in a standard 50 cal ammo can (that YOU provide). You’ve got 2 full Gen 3 D.A.R.K. inserts, 2 tourniquets, a pair of trauma shears, surgical tape, an “ouch pouch” and two Pocket D.A.R.K. “Jrs” (which we’ll get to in just a minute), and 5 pairs of gloves. The big difference from the St Mike Bag is the obvious decrease in size as well as the absence of “comfort care” items like gauze or burn gel.

If priced out individually, the CAN would be well over $400, but Dark Angel is offering it for an MSRP of $384.95 and will be available in late Q1 or early Q2 of this year.

The D.A.R.K. Gen 4 continues to be the flagship med kit in the Dark Angel lineup. In this newest version, all of the snaps have been eliminated, replaced by tuck and weave straps. Detachable belt loops are also included for additional mounting options. There is now an external pouch that fits the Gen 7 CAT tourniquet, since the nest generation TQ is a bit beefier than prior versions. All of the new Gen 4 kits (and including the Gen 3) will come with a new D.A.R.K. insert that includes a polycarbonate eye shield falling in line with TCCC guidelines. The Gen 4 D.A.R.K. will be available in Q2 2016 for right around $199.

Next up is the “Ouch Pouch” – a small, no frills nylon pouch that contains a myriad of adhesive bandages in all shapes and sizes from your knee skinners to the knuckle busters. It also includes some alcohol swabs, burn gel, sunscreen, steer strips, gloves. With a retail price of around $25 and available now, there’s no excuse not to have one of these in every backpack and vehicle in your household. If there is something specific that you would like to include in the pouch, Dark Angel has individual components on their website.

Seeing success previously, Dark Angel is re-releasing their canine kits. Included in the kit is a roll of dog friendly Sensi-Wrap self adhesive bandage, chest seals, dart, blanket (to avoid hypothermia), two mini compression bandages, SWAT-T, prep razor, and Quik Clot. MSRP will be $134.95 and will be available in Q2.

For those folks that just want to carry a tourniquet somewhere on their person, DAM is releasing a basic tourniquet holder which is a laser cut piece of hook and loop fabric that can fit up to a 2” belt. Shock cord is used to retain the TQ, and it can be mounted vertically or horizontally. It will hold SOF-T or CAT style tourniquets. For a retail price of $14, this is an easy, low profile way to carry a spare TQ.

Lastly, in conjunction with all of Dark Angel’s bleeding control initiatives, they are announcing the availability of the Pocket D.A.R.K. Jr. aimed at schoolchildren. Everything contained in the kit is pediatric sized, prefect for small kids to help themselves or others. The components in the kit are a mini H&H compression bandage, a roll of Celox rapid ribbon, a SWAT-T and a pair of gloves. MSRP will be right around $54. We specifically asked Kerry Davis if children are allowed in their classes and he replied with a resounding “Absolutely!”

His own children have attended, as apparently have web editor David Reeder's kids. He recommends that every child get as much training as is feasible. Why wait until adulthood?

For those who are more interested in the classwork than the product line, Dark Angel Medical is now certified as nationally accredited Hemorrhage Control educators (as approved by CECBEMS). In a nutshell, what it means is that Dark Angel now has a specific number attached to their course that gives basic and advanced EMTs and paramedics credits they need towards continuing education.

With these additions to the product line, and some additional exciting skunkworks projects not yet ready for release, Dark Angel Medical is solidifying its place in the industry as a premiere source for TCCC products and education.

You can find them online at the Dark Angel Medical website, on Instagram, and Facebook.

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What is the NSSF SHOT Show?

The NSSF SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show) and Conference is an annual event held by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Typically attended by thousands of people from all 50 states and over a hundred countries, it is (quite rightfully) described as the “…world's premier exposition of combined firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics, and related products and services.

Imagine the Worlds' Fair, but packed with everything from mini-guns and every breed of body armor, bows and boots; from eye pro and ear pro to optics and ordnance, socks to swords…you get the idea. If you'd like to see a sampling of the companies who will be showing at this year's SHOT, there's a live map right here, though it doesn't reflect the organizations set up elsewhere, in hotel suites, etc.

View imagery from our coverage of last year's SHOT Show right here.

SHOT Show is online here; check out the videos from SHOT Show TV right here.

2016 SHOT Show

January 18 — Media on the Range (numerous shooting facilities in and around Las Vegas)
January 19–22, 2016
Sands Expo and Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours:
Tuesday, January 19 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 20 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 21 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday, January 22 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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