emergency medical gear

I carry a reasonable FAK with me all the time. It is limited to the things that I know how to use for obvious reasons. Although it is more than usually equipped with meds.

My question though is for any paramedics, EMT, WEMT, medics etc out there. If I had the space what small pieces of equipment would it be useful for someone to have at the scene of an incident which someone trained in their use would find invaluable but may not always have with them (off duty). I am thinking strictly about instances where actual medical aid may not be immediately forthcoming e.g train wreck in a tunnel, area sealed off due to terrorist use of dirty bomb, trapped inside collapsed building etc. Depending on the usefullness/weight ratio I may well be willing to carry a bunch of extra stuff in case someone at the scene can use it - so any suggestions as to stuff you would like me to provide?

SAM splint. Bulky, light, able to be configured to splint most breaks.

On the ambulance the most used items are gloves, 4x4's, IV's, and tape. IV's are not the most practical to carry. The other items are relatively low cost and easy to find. Duct tape works just as well as First Aid tape so I would say just double up on Duct tape, throw in as many 4x4's as possible and extra gloves.

Sorry, for my ignorance here, but what's 4x4's in this context? Bandaids or some other form of dressing.

Just curious.

I already carry ca 7 pairs of gloves (I work in a lab so just grabbed a handful and shoved into my bag, all sized for me 7-8 though). I carry 5 4"x 4" nonadherent dressings (my FAK bag was specifically chosen to be at least the size of a 4x4 to allow carrying these - is 5 enough, should I automatically just fill any extra space with these as the most useful things I could carry?). I carry tape of different kinds (but probably not enough).

The tape and dressings can be improvised if I run out though as you pointed out. It was useful to find out what gets used most in an ambulance though as it does sort of indicate that I carry roughly the right things.

However what I was trying to get at was things that couldnt be improvised easily but could be invaluable to someone with training. The IV is a good suggestion of this type but although I would be willing to carry the giving set I seriously doubt I'd want to carry around enough solution to do any good (I doubt 100 ml of saline would be enough!). What are your thoughts on instruments, airways etc etc. What stuff that can't be improvised would be useful?

There have been some good suggestions posted, gloves, 4X4, tape, duct tape, SAM splints, etc. However, I would not suggest carrying any equipment for which it is not legal for you to carry, many airways, IV’s etc. are medical devices and possession is limited to those with the appropriate training. Remember, just because you can buy some type of equipment, does not make it legal to posses.

Most, BLS equipment/supplies are not restricted, but you still need to be careful. If you have a Hare Traction Splint, KEDS, C-Collar, Backboard, etc. (all BLS equipment) and apply the device without the proper training you can be held responsible for any injuries incurred as a result of your action. Remember, most Good Samaritan laws only protect you, if you limit your actions to the scope of your training.

The question asked was what to carry, I still think it best to only that equipment/supplies for which you trained.

With that said, if you can legally have (many states require a prescription) oxygen, it remains one of the best field medications around. Pete

4" x 4" sterile gauze dressing.

I was not suggesting that I carry things which would be illegal to carry (although I don't think this applies in the UK). it would only be illegal to actually use these things without authority in the UK, not to possess (If I'm wrong please correct me).

Nor would I ever use something that I was not qualified to use. I just wondered if there was anything that would be indespensible to have available in the event that someone qualified to use it was there but off duty and had no equipment with them.

The oxygen is an idea but there is no way I'm going to lug a cylinder around with me. same with back boards. This is for EDC in a daypack not a vehicle.

I too am interested in the topic of this thread and I would like to see comments/opinions on the usefulness of EMT holster kits which typically contain shears, bandage sissors, forceps and a penlight. Plus some even throw in a seat belt cutter and window punch and even a stethoscope!

I'm also considering a CPR barrier or pocket mask.

Would their utility outweigh thier weight and bulk?

Thanks!

Interesting question, and debatable. Most FAK's even the one I carry is usually for small traumas and daily discomforts. In the event of a large situation such as a train wreck, building collapse, Bombings, and even motor vehicle collisions I don't think you could carry a large enough FAK, even my Trauma kits I carry on my ambulance unit may not have evrything a medically trained individual would need.
But I will list the items I find that I reach for frequently when I am called to large trauma scenes.

Gloves (multiple pairs)
Blood Stopper Bandages
4 x 4's
2" medical tape
CPR Mask(s)

Hope this helps

Ted Fisher ILLINOIS EMT I/D

Gloves. CPR mask is much better than the shield. Some kind of blood stopping supplies. Sam splint.

I was working all weekend and studying so I came upon this thread a bit to late but Pete made some right suggestions. Oxygen was, is and will be our best friend but who wants to lug a tank around even if it is a carbon tank that weight close to nothing.

Also situations that you mentioned are Multi/Mass Casualty Incidents. One pocket mask, one splint are not going to make a difference. We don't splint during train wrecks. We don't do CPR. Main idea is to move them out if they can maintain their airway. If they can't; they get a black tag and are left to die. Stuff that I really would love to have such as IV fluids, tube kits, drugs, BVMs are either illegal to own or too bulky. But than comes a question of legal issues. How far trained off duty personel is willing to go? Sometimes best treatment is the managment of the scene.

You know that pepper spray stuff in NYC that happened over the weekend? We all carry anti pepper spray wipes if I get hit by a perp or pd during restrain. All those people's sign and symptoms could have disapeared in a second. WHy that stuff wasn't used? Because it would extend out scope of practice, we would use illegal medication and loose our certifications. Just because right equipment is on the scene it doesn't mean it will be utilized.

On duty - Yes, I have and use one.

Off duty - No

Pete