Vietnam era First Aid pouch question

[pawtwo]

Hello,

 

It might be silly, but does these pouches were designed to carry a dressing with its cartoon box or without it?

 

 

[268th C.A.]

Yes leave it in the package, just insert it into the pouch.

[Justin]

Agreed, with the box.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Probably the pouches were designed to carry the dressing in the cardboard box. And given the variety of grunts in Vietnam, everyone was probably different. But, personally, I got rid of the cardboard and just kept the dressing in the waterproof wrapper. When you are humping many pounds of gear you look for even small ways to reduce the weight. Using this logic I also took C-rations out of their cardboard boxes before an op. In addition, I only took the rations with me that I liked (no ham and #%$## ever).

 

There is a saying that addresses this paring of weight: ounces in the morning are pounds by night.

[doyler]

Agreed

 

The pouch and bandage came with the box but often the box was discarded or due to moisture and getting wet turned into mush.

[armysoldierant1944]

In all practicality I'd remove from the box.There would be less tearing away in a medical emergency

[USARV72]

IIRC, only carried bandage in plastic bag." Going by the rules" said in cardboard box. Cobra, almost spit my drink reading your ham and &%$#@:"*=ERS. We tried giving them away to LNs, they would look at the can, see what it was, yell at us," oh numba 10 "......LOL.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Exactly, USARV72, numbah 10,000! I have even had them throw the cans back at us ... a little English goes a long ways!