Background: In the late 80s I attended what was then called the Advanced Combat Lifesaver Course as an Infantry NCO, and got to use some of it later on while contracting - cuts, burns, assisted on GSWs including one sucking chest. Been taking the EMT-B for a career change/augmentation and today I knocked the finals out of the park and passed all my scenarios. Taking the state B cert exam in two weeks and begin EMT-P classes August 10th.
The places where I shoot are often 1 to 2 miles in the woods and out of cell range, so I've been putting together a simple kit to take with us, hoping I'll never have to use it - we are very safety conscious and don't shoot with idiots (more than once, anyway).
I don't think much of the kits I've seen and a lot of them seem expensive and rather gimicky, so I've been adding my own stuff to my little MaxP bag. Here's what I have put together so far or are planning to add, with questions for you medic pros:
- Iodine sponge, anti-bacterial gel, alcohol wipes, burn ointment.
- Motrin, Tylenol, and baby aspirin.
- Tweezers, pins, scissors, hemostats, knife, and LED light.
- New issue tourniquet and simple hose.
- Assorted small to medium bandages from various bandaids to 4x4s and a couple of tampons.
- Two self adhesive 8x8s.
- Asherman chest seal
- Cravats, wraps, and tape.
- (2) QuickClot sponges (civilian EMT-P who carries it on his truck is teaching me correct usage).
- Adult OPA airway kit (yep .. oro rather than naso).
- CPR barrier mask.
- BP kit
It's relatively simple, relatively light, I know how to use every single piece of it, and seems to have everything I might need while waiting on an ALS unit.
1. Is there anything I should add?
2. Anything I should throw out?
3. Is there a better/safer/more easily removed clotting agent than the latest QC sponge? Celox pros and cons?
4. Is there any reason to take my BP kit w/ scope, considering the kinds of emergencies I'd likely encounter? Didn't seem like it would be a big benefit, till I started considering cardiac or resp emergencies from over-exertion, AMIs, anaphylaxis, watching shock go to decompensated, etc.
5. All the kits I saw included only the NPA, however it seems I could run into head trauma from falls, GSW, etc. where the NPA is contraindicated, so I chose OPA. Should I take both or only one? Which one?
Any suggestions appreciated.
The places where I shoot are often 1 to 2 miles in the woods and out of cell range, so I've been putting together a simple kit to take with us, hoping I'll never have to use it - we are very safety conscious and don't shoot with idiots (more than once, anyway).
I don't think much of the kits I've seen and a lot of them seem expensive and rather gimicky, so I've been adding my own stuff to my little MaxP bag. Here's what I have put together so far or are planning to add, with questions for you medic pros:
- Iodine sponge, anti-bacterial gel, alcohol wipes, burn ointment.
- Motrin, Tylenol, and baby aspirin.
- Tweezers, pins, scissors, hemostats, knife, and LED light.
- New issue tourniquet and simple hose.
- Assorted small to medium bandages from various bandaids to 4x4s and a couple of tampons.
- Two self adhesive 8x8s.
- Asherman chest seal
- Cravats, wraps, and tape.
- (2) QuickClot sponges (civilian EMT-P who carries it on his truck is teaching me correct usage).
- Adult OPA airway kit (yep .. oro rather than naso).
- CPR barrier mask.
- BP kit
It's relatively simple, relatively light, I know how to use every single piece of it, and seems to have everything I might need while waiting on an ALS unit.
1. Is there anything I should add?
2. Anything I should throw out?
3. Is there a better/safer/more easily removed clotting agent than the latest QC sponge? Celox pros and cons?
4. Is there any reason to take my BP kit w/ scope, considering the kinds of emergencies I'd likely encounter? Didn't seem like it would be a big benefit, till I started considering cardiac or resp emergencies from over-exertion, AMIs, anaphylaxis, watching shock go to decompensated, etc.
5. All the kits I saw included only the NPA, however it seems I could run into head trauma from falls, GSW, etc. where the NPA is contraindicated, so I chose OPA. Should I take both or only one? Which one?
Any suggestions appreciated.
