EMS Gear

There are few words that one could use to describe EMTs, and what they do on a daily basis for the public. Shortly put, they save lives, and we cannot thank them enough for their service to society.
Though EMTs must be highly trained and skilled in order to perform their job properly, without the right EMS gear, there is little use in their skills. The right gear is necessary. As a result, it is not only important that EMTs be trained thoroughly in dealing with emergencies, but EMTs should be well versed in using the wide variety of EMS gear and tools available. And obviously, in order to properly use the tools and gear, they must be available to EMTs. Here’s a closer look at EMT gear that we would deem necessary to have on the job:

• EMTs need to be equipped with bandages (cloth ones). As oppose to the bandages you purchase from your local pharmacy, clothes bandages can be used in several different situations. These bandages are most commonly used in order to cover open wounds on a patient. Once the wound has been covered properly, EMTs will generally need tourniquets, especially in the cases where the wound is larger and there is a risk of severe blood loss.
• EMTs are required to have with them proof of their EMT certification at all times, similar to how police officers are required to carry their badges at all times. It is important to be able to identify yourself as a certified EMT in certain scenarios. Though EMTs are rarely required to identify themselves, especially in the midst of an emergency when the patient is the top priority, it is important to still carry your certification just in case.
• Some other EMS gear that will be mandatory to carry includes a pen light, a cell phone, shears, and a stethoscope. Firstly, the pen light is utilized to complete thorough examinations of patients. Shears are very important, as their purpose is to cut clothes, bandages, and other material that needs to be cut in order to help the patient. A stethoscope is an essential tool as it allows EMTs to check an individual heart rate/beat. And needless to say, a cell phone is essential as it allows EMTs to communicate with hospitals or any other emergency personal needed to assist individual(s).
• Due to the fact that in some emergency situations individuals will be suffering from severe wounds and bleeding, it is important for EMTs to have Lidocaine and Celox supplies available. Lidocaine is a pain reliever that is rubbed onto the painful area, and numbs it. It comes in various forms, but regardless of the form, they all do the same job. Celox is used to stop wounds from bleeding, and it does so in under a minute; a life saver, to say the least.
• Another essential piece of EMS gear is ice packs. These ice packs will be utilized in less severe cases, where the patient is suffering from a small injury.
• EMTs must have pocket masks, as these are used for patients who are having trouble breathing (for example, those going into cardiac arrest).
• The last piece of EMS gear, though certainly one of the most important, is gloves. Gloves are used by EMTs to insure a sanitary job is done.

The list of EMS gear that EMTs should have access to is quite clear cut and standard across the country. These are all tools, gear, and medications that are necessary for EMTs to have access to on the job in order to properly assist patients, regardless of the severity of the case.

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