Things Every EMT Should Carry in Their EMS Bag
Emergency medical technicians, or EMTs, are constantly responding to local emergencies. Since they’re always on the move, EMTs always have a reliable assortment of medical supplies stocked in their ambulances. The range of equipment stocked in an ambulance is vital for incidents that require immediate medical attention.
In addition to having a well-stocked vehicle, EMTs often carry an EMS bag with them during active duty. See which things every EMT should carry in their EMS bag to stay successful on the job.
Trauma Shears
In many emergency scenarios, EMTs need immediate access to a patient’s wound. EMTs will use trauma shears to cut through injured victims’ clothing safely. Trauma shears expose the patient as necessary so that EMTs can start performing on the injury right away.
Pulse Oximeter
A pulse oximeter is a nonintrusive way to measure a person’s blood oxygen saturation levels. Most EMTs will keep a pulse oximeter for infants and adults on hand, so they can accurately measure blood oxygen levels on patients of any age. An accurate pulse oximeter reading informs EMTs how well their patient’s heart and lungs are performing together when measured.
Stethoscope
Stethoscopes home in on sounds within the body, primarily made by the heart and lungs. A high-grade stethoscope is a must-have in any EMS bag for acquiring accurate patient vitals. Using a stethoscope on a patient helps EMTs best determine the next step in treating their patient.
PPE
EMTs encounter many different bodily fluids regularly, making masks, gloves, and other PPE a few of the things every EMT should carry in their EMS bag. EMTs always don protective gear before assisting a patient in order to keep both them and their patient safe. Simply wearing latex gloves could safeguard either party from incurring a bloodborne pathogen.
Tourniquet
Though a tourniquet will not stop blood flow, it will slow it down. Having extra tourniquets on hand allows EMTs to reduce their patients’ blood loss. Tourniquets are especially useful for serious lacerations.
