First responders and EMTs are often the first professionals to arrive on a scene in emergencies. However, their ability to quickly assess and provide critical care can be the difference between life and death. These professionals need specialized medical equipment to handle the variety of emergencies encountered successfully. The emergency vehicles and kits must be well stocked with the right tools and have the right people. Here are 5 emergency medical products that should always be part of a first responder's toolkit.
1. Medical/Trauma Shears
Time is of the essence in an emergency. In many cases, first responders must cut through a patient's clothing to assess injuries or immediately attend to an injury. Such medical or trauma shears are made explicitly for this purpose. Because these are shears, they must be durable, with serrated edges for easy clothing cutting or even more rigid materials such as seat belts. Non Slip handles provide a secure grip, even in high-pressure situations.
When choosing trauma shears for your team, you need to be sure they can sustain being abused and will do the job you need. Most advanced models have extra features such as ring cutting or glass breaking. These features can be invaluable during an emergency when every second matters.
2. Emergency Oxygen Kit
Oxygen is critical to treating patients who are not breathing adequately or suffering from conditions like hypoxia. An emergency oxygen kit includes everything needed to deliver oxygen quickly and effectively. The kit typically consists of a bag valve mask, which allows EMTs to provide rescue breaths to the patient and prevent oxygen deprivation.
An EMT can connect the oxygen cylinder to the mask to run some air into the patient's lungs, squishing the bag to do so. Mask sizes have to be suitable for patients of all ages. The kit should also contain a pressure gauge, regulator, and operating flow meter to verify oxygen delivery.
3. Portable Ventilator
A portable ventilator is a lifesaving device for people who can't breathe on their own. It is a critical machine for moving air into the lungs for people who have severe respiratory distress. Portable ventilators come with adjustable rate and depth of ventilation settings.
First responders need to be adequately trained in the operation of the portable ventilator, as incorrect settings can compromise the patient's health. Many ventilators now come with user-friendly screens that guide EMTs through the necessary steps for proper ventilation. A portable ventilator is connected to an oxygen cylinder and can be vital to lifesaving care during emergencies.
4. Disposable Blankets
For emergencies, patients need disposable blankets that provide warmth and protection. A blanket is a simple and highly effective tool for any patient experiencing shock, injury, or exposure to extreme temperatures. These blankets keep the patient's body temperature regular and prevent the patient from rapidly cooling, which can cause hypothermia.
Blankets go beyond their lifesaving purpose, supplying privacy during medical procedures, keeping patients out of the elements, and offering extra padding during transport. Disposable blankets come in different forms that offer different utility. For example, Mylar blankets are great for providing warmth or tissue blankets for privacy. Wool blankets offer both warmth and Comfort in stressful situations.
5. Trauma Supplies
Any emergency medical kit must have trauma supplies at their backbone. Bandages, chest wound seals, tourniquets, and other specific items that help control bleeding, manage wounds, and stabilize patients make up these supplies. To treat injuries that are bleeding heavily, have fractures, or damage to vital organs, trauma supplies are essential.
Trauma supply organization ensures first responders can respond quickly and efficiently to injuries, reduce complications, and improve patient outcomes. They are indispensable trauma supplies, even a simple bandage or a more complex wound seal, for any emergency response.
Emergency Medical Products
With everything happening so fast in emergency response, it's crucial to have the proper equipment available so we can do our best to care for patients. These medical products save lives—trauma shears that can cut through clothing easily and portable ventilators that help patients breathe. First responders require high-quality tools capable of handling different emergencies.
At Stellmacher Instruments, we understand the importance of reliable medical equipment in saving lives. Our range of emergency medical products, oxygen kits, portable ventilators, disposable blankets, and trauma supplies, is designed to meet the needs of first responders in the most demanding situations. Trust Stellmacher Instruments to provide the quality and durability you and your team need to be prepared for any emergency.