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November 17, 2025 93 mins

Show Notes


Episode 196. Tactical First Aid and System Collapse Medicine with Greg Ellifritz


In this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, host Alex Ooley welcomes Greg Ellifritz, a retired police officer and founder of Active Response Training. They discuss the importance of tactical first aid and the MARCH protocol, which focuses on managing massive bleeding, airway, respiration, circulation, and head injuries. Greg shares his extensive background in law enforcement and training, emphasizing the need for practical skills in emergency situations. The conversation also covers system collapse medicine, preparedness, and the significance of having the right training and resources for various medical emergencies.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tactical Medicine and Training Background

07:00 Understanding Tactical First Aid vs. Standard First Aid

16:13 The MARCH Protocol: A Tactical Approach to Trauma

26:48 Massive Bleeding and Tourniquet Application

33:42 Tourniquet Application and Wound Packing

38:26 Understanding Tourniquet Misconceptions

46:31 Tourniquet Placement Controversies

50:17 Airway and Respiration Essentials

58:39 Addressing Opioid Overdoses with Narcan

01:04:45 Circulation and Wound Care Protocols

01:06:00 Suturing Skills: A Fun Yet Questionable Necessity

01:08:34 Wound Cleaning: The Importance of Proper Techniques

01:12:17 Wound Closure: Risks and Best Practices

01:15:54 Hypothermia and Head Injuries: Essential First Aid

01:17:07 System Collapse Medicine: Preparing for Emergencies

01:23:30 Gear Lists: Training Over Equipment

01:26:34 Beyond Tactical Medicine: Greg's Broader Work


Resources


Active Response Training

https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/instructors


Pat Rogers Memorial Revolver Round-Up at Gunsite

https://www.gunsite.com/classes/pat-rogers-memorial-revolver-round-up/


Blackwing Shooting Center

https://blackwingsc.com/training/training-courses/tactical-first-aid-system-collapse-medicine-with-greg-ellifritz/


Forge of Freedom (Choose Adventure: Safe Travel In Dangerous Places by Greg Ellifritz)

https://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-87-choose-adventure-safe-travel-in-dangerous-places-by-greg-ellifritz/


https://www.amazon.com/Choose-Adventure-Travel-Dangerous-Places-ebook/dp/B087BNB647/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=choose+adventure+greg+ellifritz&link_code=qs&qid=1603676124&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=actiresptrai-20&linkId=ad30689c10bd209db766d553546c306c&language=en_US


https://www.chooseadventurebook.com/


Forge of Freedom (Tactical First Aid and System Collapse Medicine After Action Report with Whitney Ooley)

https://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-130-tactical-first-aid-and-system-collapse-medicine-rerun-of-episode-38/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URWAdmQ_dG4


Tourniquets mentioned

https://www.narescue.com/combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t.html


https://tacmedsolutions.com/products/sof-tourniquet?variant=40626596544711


Keywords

tactical medicine, first aid, MARCH protocol, emergency preparedness, Greg Ellifritz, Active Response Training, system collapse medicine, wound care, airway management, CPR


DISCLAIMER:  This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the

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