Emergency Medical Equipment and Supply Companies

[BuddhaKat]

I think a thread about where to get emergency equipment and supplies, as well as commentary on specific products and resources, would be a really great resource for AS visitors.

Hopefully, the forum owners will give this its own section as I think it would be a great resource to have this type of information in the same place.

So, let us know who you're dealing with, what you have in your first aid kit, or what you've run across in your travels.

 

[BuddhaKat]

Pacific Rescue

One company I've found on the internet is Pacific Rescue, LLC. They're located in Santa Barbra CA and they have all kinds of stuff for medical emergencies, first aid, medical supplies, survival, and SAR. They also seem to carry a lot of climbing and safety equipment such as helmets, gloves and the like. Their have an online store and sell to the public.

Their website is at http://www.pacificrescue.com/index.asp

 

[BuddhaKat]

Rescue Essentials

Another company I just found is Rescue Essentials, located in Salida, CO. http://www.rescue-essentials.com/servlet/StoreFront

They've got some really cool stuff. Check them out.

 

[Grace Tree]

Another company I just found is Rescue Essentials, located in Salida, CO. http://www.rescue-essentials.com/servlet/StoreFront

They've got some really cool stuff. Check them out.

If you can get hooked up with a trauma nurse, especially one who knows the nature and severity of the injuries that can occur in this business, they can often suggest some specialty items and where to get them.
Phil

 

[BuddhaKat]

Sam Medical Products

Here is a link to a company called Sam Medical Products. They are the manufacturer of Celox, Sam Splint, and Blist-O-Ban. All are products you should have in your kit when you're out in the woods.

http://www.sammedical.com

Both Pacific Rescue and Rescue Essentials are stocking dealers of Sam Medical products. However, there is an incredible amount of information available on the Sam Medical site that is very educational. I highly recommend spending some time there because there is a lot to learn.

 

[Sweeter]

If you have any friends who are firefighters or emt's they always have extra trauma dressings and compression bandages that they get from the hospital would be a good resource.

 

[jburlingham]

This is a link to where our Ambulance buys it's supplies

www.savelives.com

I personally am a fan of the Pacific Packs

 

[Saw Bones]

I think a thread about where to get emergency equipment and supplies, as well as commentary on specific products and resources, would be a really great resource for AS visitors.

Hopefully, the forum owners will give this its own section as I think it would be a great resource to have this type of information in the same place.

So, let us know who you're dealing with, what you have in your first aid kit, or what you've run across in your travels.

Galls or Lab Safety Supply are two that I have used for EMS equipment.

 

[BuddhaKat]

Galls or Lab Safety Supply are two that I have used for EMS equipment.

I take it you're an EMS. Let me ask you. What do you think of Celox? Should it, or something else like it be in every first aid kit out in the woods?

 

[2dogs]

Chinook is a great company to buy from but even better they send out a "monthly" newsletter on new products, classes, etc. I have been using them for years. I was a full time FF/EMT for 18 years so I have a good handle on ems but I am still learning.

http://www.chinookmed.com/

 

[kbiv]

Figured I would chime in. Been a medic for 10 years now. Galls, or EMP (emergency medical products) are the two suppliers my fd has an account through. I've never tried the blood clotting agents, supposedly the military loves them, especially the quickclot bandages. Working under another agencies rules, I just can't play with all the neat stuff out there.(If it ain't been approved, it can't be used by us) The public, on the other hand, well, we can't stop that...
Having said that, look into the 6 in emergency bandage. Can be applied single handed, and cranked down into a tournequet. (once again, we can't use it officially, but its not like the doc is going to fire you!) I carry one just in case in my own stuff.
Either of these places will have good stuff. Galls caters a little more towards the law side, but EMP will usually be cheaper.

 

[masiman]

If you are going to be administering drugs to someone you'd better let the people you turn the injured person over to know when, what and how much of the drug you gave. Drug reactions and other things come into play. The drugs could save a life but they could complicate even endanger treatment.

 

[BuddhaKat]

If you are going to be administering drugs to someone you'd better let the people you turn the injured person over to know when, what and how much of the drug you gave. Drug reactions and other things come into play. The drugs could save a life but they could complicate even endanger treatment.

If you're talking about Celox, it's not a drug, it's an emergency clotting agent. For severe lacerations you pour it into the wound, apply pressure until the bleeding stops, then wrap the wound and transport to the hospital as fast as you can.

I'm not a medical person, but it seems to me that with the types of injuries a chainsaw can cause Celox or something like it should be a part of every field med kit. I was just wondering what those around here with EMT training thought about it.

 

[Buckethead]

If you're talking about Celox, it's not a drug, it's an emergency clotting agent. For severe lacerations you pour it into the wound, apply pressure until the bleeding stops, then wrap the wound and transport to the hospital as fast as you can.

I'm not a medical person, but it seems to me that with the types of injuries a chainsaw can cause Celox or something like it should be a part of every field med kit. I was just wondering what those around here with EMT training thought about it.

As a paramedic I've had several conversations regarding traumatic injuries with a buddy of mine who is a paramedic as well as an Army nurse with battlefield experience. He loves the clotting agents however suggests using the bandage style rather than the powder that is poured into a wound. When the powdered type is used it must be surgically removed from the wound and not all civilian hospitals are familiar with it.

A good first aid kit should include all of the basic items for "routine" injuries (band-aids, Advil, antibiotic ointment, ice packs) as well as items for the "worst case" injuries (trauma dressings, splint material). Obviously because of this line of work, the "worst case" injuries are a little nastier. You also need a "kit" that isn't the size of a military duffel bag...it needs to be easily carried around or it will never leave the house.

Finally, all of the equipment will be useless if you don't know how to use it. Take a first aid course or get with someone "in the business" to teach you how to use the equipment. If the need ever arises, you'll be glad you knew what to do.

 

[TreeTopKid]

If you are going to be administering drugs to someone you'd better let the people you turn the injured person over to know when, what and how much of the drug you gave. Drug reactions and other things come into play. The drugs could save a life but they could complicate even endanger treatment.

TRUE when my leg was impaled on a scaffold pole (ALWAYS put a knot in the end of your rope!) I had a doctor rooting around inside my leg without anesthetic because I had dosed up on painkillers to get the job finished before going to hospital. It was a very weird and very painful experience.

 

[Saw Bones]

I take it you're an EMS. Let me ask you. What do you think of Celox? Should it, or something else like it be in every first aid kit out in the woods?

I have no problem with using a clotting agent if you have it available. I have never used it. Direct Pressure, Elevation, Pressure points and as a last resort a tourniquet have always worked. (If you apply a tourniquet note the time, do not cover it up with any thing, and be sure that whoever you turn your patient over to is aware of it. Never loosen it after it has been put on) I personally have never had to use one.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Never loosen it after it has been put on)

Back in the day when we were getting some first aid training in the army, we were taught to loosen it every so often and let the blood flow a bit to lessen the chances of losing the limb from oxygen starvation.

Has that changed? I'm no emt, just recalling some army training from 15+ years ago.


Ian

 

[lawnmowertech37]

As a paramedic I've had several conversations regarding traumatic injuries with a buddy of mine who is a paramedic as well as an Army nurse with battlefield experience. He loves the clotting agents however suggests using the bandage style rather than the powder that is poured into a wound. When the powdered type is used it must be surgically removed from the wound and not all civilian hospitals are familiar with it.

A good first aid kit should include all of the basic items for "routine" injuries (band-aids, Advil, antibiotic ointment, ice packs) as well as items for the "worst case" injuries (trauma dressings, splint material). Obviously because of this line of work, the "worst case" injuries are a little nastier. You also need a "kit" that isn't the size of a military duffel bag...it needs to be easily carried around or it will never leave the house.

Finally, all of the equipment will be useless if you don't know how to use it. Take a first aid course or get with someone "in the business" to teach you how to use the equipment. If the need ever arises, you'll be glad you knew what to do.

i agree i just lost my emt certification it ran out and i did not have enough hrs to re cert so i have to take the course over again but i was reading this thread and have to inlighten it a bit one item i have not seen mentioned never know what is going around and what people carry its good to have gloves and full suit gear in that first aid kit this includes goggles gloves head cap surgery type gown face shield i have had to use this twice in the 20 years i been in ems

first time in 20 years i had to use it in a combine accident involving entrapment

thats all i need to say usually on these type of injuries i sure hope the responding ems unit has medi vac in the air this type of call would be meaning very good emergency to use the helicopter medivac to go to a major trauma center since most hospitals are not equipped for major mass trauma cases

i may just take and go and get my paramedic certifcation and get a job with a medivac unit in my area and take and be a flight crew

but it takes almost 2 years to become a medic
calls like these get the drenlin pumping in ems crews worser when it involves children

even though i not a emt currently i still am a firefighter still on the dept still drive the medic truck on calls just cant do patient care

now i can always drive the bus if i was needed and had two certified members on board as well

but i should have my emt back by november of this year

class starting next month

so i get a few months break

calvin

oh http://www.galls.com
is also a good source



pressure points

are also good but got to know where they are

too hard to explain easier to show

American red cross is good source for basic first aid

 

[BuddhaKat]

i may just take and go and get my paramedic certifcation and get a job with a medivac unit in my area and take and be a flight crew.

calvin

oh http://www.galls.com is also a good source

pressure points are also good but got to know where they are too hard to explain easier to show. American red cross is good source for basic first aid

Calvin, Not disrespecting you in any way, but I am curious, wouldn't your size and weight preclude you from being on a helicopter flight crew?

Also, if you have any way to make a living as am EMT, why are you screwing around going broke hawking old lawnmower parts that nobody apparently wants? I mean geeze, you should be more than able to make a living as an EMT. Doubling as a fireman should only add to your value. I can't say from any position of knowledge so I'm just asking.

 

[Buckethead]

Back in the day when we were getting some first aid training in the army, we were taught to loosen it every so often and let the blood flow a bit to lessen the chances of losing the limb from oxygen starvation.

Has that changed? I'm no emt, just recalling some army training from 15+ years ago.


Ian

Ian,

Like many things in EMS, tourniquets have fallen in and out of favor depending on the latest research study. All of the Iraq-trained medics I've talked to are huge fans of tourniquets. Some have related stories of successful cases where it was on for 4 hours. Current (read--"this week")teaching is to NOT loosen it once it's applied. This prevents toxins, formed in the tissue beyond the tourniquet site, from traveling back to the body. It also allows the clotting process to take place without interruption.

The other pre-hospital treatment that has made a huge difference on the battlefield is simply maintaining body temp. The Marines started placing their wounded in body bags (leaving them partially unzipped)to keep them warm. Their survival rate was much better than wounded soldiers who were not kept warm. So, it's worth it to keep a couple of the silver space/emergency blankets in your first aid kit.