What do you carry?

[ArcticDiver]

Well now we've got the guy who was sitting on the rock, got bit by something bad and fell over in a swollen tongue dead faint taken care of.

But what about next time? Are we going to be prepared? Everyone who is not already a pro is going to take an appropriate class. So, everyone will be able to make the best decisions under the circumstances.

But, what about tools? Just what are you going to have on hand to put all that knowledge to work? It would be nice to have a complete trauma bag with all the toys and meds. But, most of the time space and weight prohibit that.

So, what do you carry in your tool bag?

To start it off: I actually have multiple kits. One is in fact a pretty complete trauma bag. They get smaller depending on whether I'm snowmachining, like last weekend, or backpacking.

My minimum is a set of safety pins for a variety of things like holding the tongue to keep the airway clear, fastening bandages, using the tips to remove splinters, etc. A pocket CPR mask, A set of forceps. A suction device. A cutting tool(shears are best). Plus several dual use items like flashlight, writing instrument, paper, shock cord, etc.

By no means though do I have a lock on what is the best tool bag. So, lets' swap inventories and improve all our bags.

 

[tinman694]

So, what do you carry in your tool bag?

To start it off: I actually have multiple kits. One is in fact a pretty complete trauma bag. They get smaller depending on whether I'm snowmachining, like last weekend, or backpacking.

My minimum is a set of safety pins for a variety of things like holding the tongue to keep the airway clear, fastening bandages, using the tips to remove splinters, etc. A pocket CPR mask, A set of forceps. A suction device. A cutting tool(shears are best). Plus several dual use items like flashlight, writing instrument, paper, shock cord, etc.

By no means though do I have a lock on what is the best tool bag. So, lets' swap inventories and improve all our bags.

Since the wife and I are both medics, we usually cart around at least a BLS bag (including BVM and Airway kit) and depending on the situation an O2 kit. (you can't exactly pack a d cylinder in your carry on luggage though) Suprising though how many times we have needed some 4X4's and tape to patch someone up...never have had to use the other goodies.

 

[ArcticDiver]

Ok, what do you consider a BLS bag?

 

[Capnsnott]

"safety pins for a variety of things like holding the tongue to keep the airway clear"

Not to change the thread, but could you explain that to me? I'm putting together another kit and have no idea what you are talking about.
Thanks
G

 

[ArcticDiver]

Circumstance: Limited tools, like when backpacking. No oral/naso airway adjuncts, no ET or LMA. How do you keep the airway of an unresponsive patient clear? The tongue is the primary airway blocker. So, pin the tongue to the lip. Problem solved.

Better a scar than dead.

 

[tinman694]

Ok, what do you consider a BLS bag?

Lifting this one from the Galls site, this would pretty much be what we have in the kit, I usually add/subtract a few items depending on the travel situation, but for the most part, this would be a decent kit to work most situations. (Add more Personal Protective equipment and comm gear as necessary)
1 Disposable Airway Kit
1 Bag Valve Mask
1 Nasal Airway Kit
1 Burn Sheet
1 Burn Pad (4" x 4") Bandages:
16 Adhesive bandages (1" x 3")
2 Abdominal Pads (5" x 9")
1 Trauma Dressing (12" x 30")
20 Sterile Dressings (4" x 4")
10 Sterile Dressings (3" x 3")
2 Sterile Napkins
2 Gauze Rolls (3" NS)
2 Gauze Rolls (4" NS)
1 Waterproof Tape (1/2")
1 Waterproof Tape (1")
1 Elastic Bandage (3")
1 Elastic Bandage (4")
2 Triangular Bandages
4 Eye Pads
4 Petroleum Gauze (3" x 9")
1 Po2 Monitor
1 Capillary Blood glucose monitor
1 Instrument Pack (shears, Kelly forceps, bandage scissors, splinter forceps, penlight)
1 BP/Stethoscope Kit
1 SAM Splint
1 Philly Collar
1 Obstetrical Kit
1 Personal Protection Kit
1 Activated Charcoal
5 Ammonia Inhalant
4 Insta-Glucose
10 Alcohol Prep Pads
1 Antibiotic Ointment
1 Bee Sting Kit
2 Cold Packs (5" x 9")
2 Hot Packs (5" x 9")
1 Eye Wash
10 PVP Iodine
1 Space Blanket
1 Sterile Water (500 ml)
1 No Rinse Gel (4 oz)
20 Pair Nitrile Gloves
(L/XL)

Airway/O2 kit would be:
1 Oral/Nasal Airway Set
1 EMT Shears
2 BVM
1 Adjustable Cervical Collar
2 Non-Rebreather Mask
1 Ascherman Chest Seal
1 Adhesive Tape (1")
2 Petroleum Gauze
1 Bulb Syringe
1 D Cylinder
1 Brass Regulator

Pretty much Standard BLS Ambulance gear--If Peds are involved, add some gear for them. Also did not include any ALS gear.

Enough of a listing?

 

[Capnsnott]

I would never have thought of that.
Although these days, that person may have a tongue ring and lip ring that you just have to attach together. :11:

I'm taking my CPR/AED class next week and Rescue diver class at the end of the month. I look forward to more info from this thread.
thanks
Greg

 

[Snowbear]

It takes up ~ the bottom 1/3 of my day pack.
BLS stuff: 4X4's, Kerlex, VetWrap, Tape, OPA, NPA w/lube, cravats (homemade from a ripped up sheet), shears, BVM, gloves, goggles.
ALS: Size 7.0 and 8.0 ET tube, stylet, laryngoscope (#4 curved blade), MacGill forceps.

For back-country trips, I add a suture kit and xylocaine as well.

For horse-hauling trips through Canada, I add a pretty extensive vet kit.

 

[SDAnderson]

Duct tape and a bottle of Old Grand Dad?

Actually, I carry a USCG Lifeboat first aid kit + O2. With no more medical training than ARC first aid, anything more than that is liable to get me in trouble.

 

[ArcticDiver]

Lifting this one from the Galls site, this would pretty much be what we have in the kit, I usually add/subtract a few items depending on the travel situation, but for the most part, this would be a decent kit to work most situations. (Add more Personal Protective equipment and comm gear as necessary)
1 Disposable Airway Kit
1 Bag Valve Mask
1 Nasal Airway Kit
1 Burn Sheet
1 Burn Pad (4" x 4") Bandages:
16 Adhesive bandages (1" x 3")
2 Abdominal Pads (5" x 9")
1 Trauma Dressing (12" x 30")
20 Sterile Dressings (4" x 4")
10 Sterile Dressings (3" x 3")
2 Sterile Napkins
2 Gauze Rolls (3" NS)
2 Gauze Rolls (4" NS)
1 Waterproof Tape (1/2")
1 Waterproof Tape (1")
1 Elastic Bandage (3")
1 Elastic Bandage (4")
2 Triangular Bandages
4 Eye Pads
4 Petroleum Gauze (3" x 9")
1 Po2 Monitor
1 Capillary Blood glucose monitor
1 Instrument Pack (shears, Kelly forceps, bandage scissors, splinter forceps, penlight)
1 BP/Stethoscope Kit
1 SAM Splint
1 Philly Collar
1 Obstetrical Kit
1 Personal Protection Kit
1 Activated Charcoal
5 Ammonia Inhalant
4 Insta-Glucose
10 Alcohol Prep Pads
1 Antibiotic Ointment
1 Bee Sting Kit
2 Cold Packs (5" x 9")
2 Hot Packs (5" x 9")
1 Eye Wash
10 PVP Iodine
1 Space Blanket
1 Sterile Water (500 ml)
1 No Rinse Gel (4 oz)
20 Pair Nitrile Gloves
(L/XL)

Airway/O2 kit would be:
1 Oral/Nasal Airway Set
1 EMT Shears
2 BVM
1 Adjustable Cervical Collar
2 Non-Rebreather Mask
1 Ascherman Chest Seal
1 Adhesive Tape (1")
2 Petroleum Gauze
1 Bulb Syringe
1 D Cylinder
1 Brass Regulator

Pretty much Standard BLS Ambulance gear--If Peds are involved, add some gear for them. Also did not include any ALS gear.

Enough of a listing?

This thread was to see just what people carried in their personal kits. Sort of an idea source.

You said you pulled this list from Galls. But do you really carry all that? What about when you are traveling?