The concept of first-aid care is not a new one. In fact, the concept was developed by Robert Wood Johnson back in 1888. He called the first EMS kit a first-aid cabinet. It provided storage for various first-aid supplies and became the blueprint for all portable medical kits. Providing medical kit supplies with built-in portability, meant first-aid care could be administered more quickly. This helped to save countless lives and stopped wounds from getting infected during transport to the hospital.
Whether you are in need of stocked medical kits or medical kit supplies, look no further. In business for over thirty years, we have supplied first line responders with the tools they need to properly do their jobs.
Effective Training Techniques
While this might be an oversimplification, there are a few key things that EMTs will need to assess to identify what is wrong with the patient and how to most effectively treat those issues. Despite having the best equipment available, if an EMT is not properly trained, that equipment will do nothing.
To help identify any immediate life-threatening wounds or conditions, EMTs use the ABC concept. The ABCs are as follows:
- Airway
- Deep Breathing
- Circulation
Airway
For those who don’t know, the airway is defined as the pathway from the nose and mouth to the lungs. When EMTs find a blockage, they need to remove the obstruction immediately before beginning to treat other illnesses or wounds. If the patient isn’t able to properly breath, it won’t matter how much work is put into other issues, they will expire.
Breathing
It is important to determine if the patient is able to breath well enough to sustain themselves. If they are not able, EMTs will help them by assisting their breathing with oxygen or what is known as positive pressure ventilation. Helping patients to breathe properly allows them to be in a more relaxed state which can help them to heal.
Circulation
Checking for a pulse is, of course, quite important, but so is the quality of the pulse as is the rhythm of the heartbeat.
It should be noted that while ABC is the go-to assessment technique, if a patient is bleeding profusely, EMTs should switch to the CAB method of assessment which means:
- Circulation
- Airway
- Breathing
Stocked Medical Kits
It is important all portable medical kits are fully stocked with proper gear.
Some of the recommended items are listed below:
- Tweezers
- Bandage Sheers
- Trauma Sheers
- LED penlight
- Band-Aids
- 4”x4” Gauze pads
- 2” Gauze Roll
- 3” Gauze Roll
- 4” Gauze Roll
- 2” Self-adherent Bandage
- 2” Elastic Ace Bandage
- Iodine Wipes
- Isopropyl Alcohol Wipes
- Triangle Bandage
- Eye Wash
- Rubber Gloves
- Finger Splint
- Antibiotic Ointment
- Cold Packs
- Adult BP Cuff
- NC Tubing
- Adjustable C-Collar
- Burn Spray
- Tourniquet
- First-Aid guide Booklet
- Stethoscope
- Emergency Blanket
- Burn Dressing
Protecting EMS Personnel
While it is important to have an EMT first-aid kit stocked with portable medical kit supplies, it is also important that EMS personnel protect themselves when treating patients. This means to be aware of the area surrounding the patient, as well as the patient themselves. If personnel are responding to a natural disaster, there could be various hazards such as downed power lines, fires, and animals which might attack. While those are all important factors to consider, EMS personnel must also protect themselves against body fluid contamination. This means they need to take appropriate steps to ensure they don’t contract any diseases or infections from the patient they are treating.
Every EMS worker needs to have the following with them at all times:
- Non-Latex Rubber Gloves
- Goggles
- N95 Mask
- Disposable Gown
It is important that the rubber gloves in the kit will fit the hands properly. They need to be snug so the fingers can perform deft motor functions.
Goggles are important so that no body fluids can spray up from the wound and get into the EMT’s eyes.
An N95 mask will protect EMT workers from contracting Covid-19 and other viruses. They need to fit snugly across the nose and around the outer border to be effective.
Disposable gowns are utilized when there is a great deal of body fluid associated with the treatment. These are meant to be single use and are thrown away after treating the patient. This helps to cut down on the spread of bacteria and other body fluids when personnel are moving between patients and treatment centers. It also keeps the uniform clean no matter how messy the scene may be.
Breathing and Ventilation
When breathing assistance is necessary through positive pressure ventilation, it is important to use either a Pocket Mask or a Bag Valve Mask. Both are effective in helping a patient breathe easier.
When properly used, both can force air into the lungs which help oxygenate blood and help the patient remain calm. It is important to clear the airway prior to using either the Bag Valve Mask or the Pocket Mask.
A Bag Valve Mask can deliver approximately 20% oxygen based on the ambient oxygen level of the air around the patient. When available, the Bag Valve Mask can be connected to an oxygen tank to deliver 100% oxygen.
If you are in need of an emergency medical kit, reach out to us. With over thirty years of experience, we can meet all of your needs for medical supplies Canada. Reach out today to find out more.
