Galco ATM Ankle IFAK: A Cross Country Review

The ranks of armed citizens continue to grow as more people carry concealed firearms. While I applaud this decision, defensive carry extends beyond just the gun and requires additional equipment. A complete everyday carry (EDC) package includes a firearm, knife, flashlight, and individual first aid kit (IFAK). While most check the box with their firearm, almost the same percentage neglect carrying a tourniquet — much less a complete IFAK. I understand why, though. Tourniquets, chest seals, gauze, and trauma shears aren’t convenient.

After much trial and error to resolve this issue, I set my sights on an ankle IFAK. Conveniently, I happened on a Galco ATM kit. The Galco Ankle Trauma Kit (ATM) caught my attention a few months back while searching for an ankle IFAK. After carrying a Glock 26 in a Galco Ankle Glove holster for nearly a decade, the Galco ATM seemed a trustworthy choice.

Since you’re far more likely to use an IFAK over a firearm in your lifetime, I felt it deserved a little more attention than just a basic rundown. Sure, I can list the specs and features, but does that really tell us anything about how it performs over the long term? Over the last month, I put the Galco ATM through uniformed and plain clothes law enforcement assignments, a six-state road trip, miles of walking through woods, beaches, theme parks, zoos, aquariums, and every imaginable day-to-day activity in between. How did the Galco ATM perform? Is it a good ankle IFAK? We’ll discuss that shortly.

The Galco ATM Ankle IFAK

The Galco ATM is a neoprene ankle IFAK. The ATM measures approximately four inches tall and accommodates up to a 16-inch ankle circumference. If you wear boots or have larger legs, Galco offers a boot extender that adds five inches.

This ankle IFAK includes five pockets, each with a Velcro retention strap. While some of the pockets appear geared towards a specific item, the neoprene material provides a lot of flexibility. Width varies from pocket to pocket, with their widths measuring approximately (from left to right) 3, 2.5, 1.5, 3, and 2 inches.

The Galco ATM has a detachable hook-and-loop section that attaches to your ankle. The hook-and-loop panel attaches to both ends of the ankle IFAK.

Now that we’ve covered the Galco ATM’s specifications, dimensions, and function, let’s discuss how it performs, what it carries, and the finer details of this ankle IFAK.

First Impressions with the Galco ATM

Since picking up the Galco ATM a little over a month ago, I’ve worn it every day except for a couple of days spent in shorts. Nonetheless, the ankle IFAK conveniently accompanied me in a backpack side pocket when I was out and about. As with any new tool or accessory, there’s a learning curve, and the initial setup evolved into what I’m carrying now, with some tweaks along the way. Without further ado, here’s my field review of the Galco ATM.

Kitting Up

The Galco ATM doesn’t include medical supplies or gear. While some may want a complete kit, I prefer to set up my own IFAK. I hate buying “kits” or packages that include stuff I don’t carry. When I received mine, I transferred the contents of a spare duty IFAK into the ATM. The IFAK contents consisted of a seventh-generation Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT), one QuikClot three-inch by four-yard Z-fold hemostatic dressing, two vent chest seals, and a four-inch by 75-inch gauze bandage roll. With one pocket remaining, I added Leatherman Raptor trauma shears to round things out.

While the Raptor trauma shears fold into a compact multitool-sized package, I opted to leave them deployed like the trauma shears in Galco’s product photos. The complete setup felt exceptionally light in the hand and much the same on my ankle. After tearing both patella tendons over the years, I’ve become extra cautious about adding weight to my legs. However, the Galco ATM was almost forgettable once on my ankle.

Wardrobe and the Galco ATM

Over the first few weeks, I wore the  ATM with a variety of attire, including blue jeans, dress pants, suit pants, and cargo pants. With looser-fitting pant cuts, like blue jeans and tactical pants, the ankle IFAK completely disappeared. However, it printed some with tighter-fitting pants. Boots, which increased the ATM’s diameter, also caused some printing. I don’t attribute this issue to the IFAK, though. Wearing an IFAK with this much gear in tight-fitting pants is analogous to trying to conceal a full-size handgun in a bikini. The wardrobe isn’t exactly conducive to being discreet.

A gun excessively printed or inadvertently exposed can cause panic, unwanted attention, or confrontation with other people. However, an IFAK doesn’t draw the same kind of attention. Over several days, I intentionally wore clothing that caused the Galco ATM to print. The ATM was noticed on two occasions, and it was fellow law enforcement officers. In one instance, it turned into an impromptu show-and-tell with coworkers and a few court officials—one of whom promptly said he would be ordering one. Overall, the Galco ATM carried and concealed well from the first day while offering immediate access to potentially life-saving equipment.

My Evolution with the Galco ATM

Frankly, my goal was to pack as much gear as possible into the Galco ATM to identify its strengths and limitations. While I initially kept the Raptor shears deployed, I ultimately opted to collapse them for a more discrete profile. The Raptor handles sat higher than dedicated trauma shears and occasionally caused some discomfort from the grips rubbing against my leg. Once folded, the problem immediately went away. I also added an extra roll of gauze by stuffing one in with the QuickClot dressing.

The ATM’s carry orientation is surprisingly important for comfort and footprint reduction. For example, I rotate the IFAK’s orientation to keep thicker items near the calf and thinner items at the front of the shin. This reduces the likelihood of the Galco ATM printing or bunching up with tighter pants. I also avoid keeping hard items, like shears or a tourniquet, on my shin. These cause pressure on sensitive areas of the shin and will cause unnecessary pain.

While I continued to tweak the configuration of tools and medical equipment in the Galco ATM, it remained a constant companion in my day-to-day recreational and professional activities. Running, climbing over obstacles, sitting, and squatting presented zero problems. At home, I cleaned the gutters, mowed, and did other chores with ease. On the range, it was much the same. Oddly enough, I see a pattern here. I could tell that the ankle IFAK was there, but it wasn’t a nuisance. Rather, it was a comforting presence to have life-saving equipment readily available.

Taking the Show on the Road

I recently completed a week-long family vacation with a round-trip six-state road trip. Of course, the Galco ATM remained a constant companion throughout. Among the many planned activities was a two-day trip to a theme park. While I didn’t ride any roller coasters, the Galco ATM didn’t budge during multiple free-fall, tower drop rides. With all the other rides, including several with some decent G-forces, it remained in place.

Over the week, I walked nearly 40 miles through zoos, aquariums, theme parks, museums, and walking trails with the Galco ATM married to my ankle. Beyond occasionally adjusting my pant leg over the ankle IFAK, I never had to tighten the kit, re-secure the straps, or chase down lost items. Simply, the Galco ATM was reliable, secure, and comfortable.

Our trip took us through the deep south into Florida. The heat index exceeded 100 °F most of the time, with the occasional sudden rain storm. However, the ATM’s neoprene material didn’t irritate my skin despite the sweltering heat and my accompanying perspiration. After wearing it for the day, I would leave the ankle IFAK on my hotel room desk. By the next morning, the Galco ATM was dry and ready for another day of service. Regardless of low or high-cut socks, I didn’t notice a difference in comfort between the two. However, high-cut socks did make things a little warmer on a hot day. Overall, the trip was a victory for the Galco ATM and received a vote of confidence from me.

Peace of Mind Within Reach

While my written impressions of the Galco ATM end here, I continue to evaluate and wear it religiously. Overall, this ankle IFAK has earned my loyalty. I’m not always a man of moderation, and I’ve stuffed the ATM with as much gear as possible. It currently carries nearly the same amount of equipment as my SWAT IFAK. If Galco hoped to leave a positive impression with its craftsmanship and quality, they did. Then again, I shouldn’t expect any less from an American-produced and handmade product.

The Galco ATM has an MSRP of $98.00. While some may pause at the price, I should offer some appropriately timed perspective. The Galco ATM’s review culminated with a family vacation to escape adulthood’s responsibilities. A huge part of that relaxation and enjoyment was knowing life-saving emergency medical equipment was within reach at all times. You can’t put a price on that peace of mind.