Great topic. My volunteer FD does run medical calls to assist the local Paramedic service. There response time to our area is about 20-30 minutes, we are usually on scene 10-15 minutes before they arrive. Most of my guys are EMR (emergency medical responder) trained. That's the first level of the EMS system.
So really I think your first question should be what is your training level? What do you know how to use? Then go from there with your kit. I've made tons of medical calls but most were just sick calls, the only thing I did was assess the patient and take vitals and wait for EMS. I've done CPR/AED a few times (no success so hope you don't go down by me
). Even on crashes it's usually just package the patient and get them ready to transport. So back to the question what do you carry in your fist aid kit? I jokingly say 4x4, roll gause, and triangle bandage is all you need. But if that is all you have you can actually patch up most wounds long enough for EMS. Of course we are talking about normal times. I'm not really going to talk about TEOTWAWKI. If you are in a situation that you have to use quickclot or a tourniquet and don't have a Dr. (that knows Emergency medicine) or hospital VERY close you are more than likely going to be SOL. Sorry that's just the way it is.
I have worked a couple of severe bleeds and have always just used direct pressure with success. Start with a sterile 4x4 then top with non sterile sponges as it soaks through. Had one where a guy fell and hit his head on a desk he was in shock when we arrived (blood EVERYWHERE it looked like a slaughter house) we put direct pressure and slowed it down but it wouldn't stop. Even after the paramedics arrived and used quickclot it wouldn't stop. Turns out he had nicked an artery in his forehead. He lost two pints of blood. I knew the guy and later told him he better be glad, we talked about using a tourniquet on his neck to stop the bleeding but thought he wouldn't appreciate that.
In my truck kit, as I said earlier I keep 4x4, roll gauze, triangle bandage, assorted band-aids, an oral airway, CPR barrier, BP kit, antibiotic ointment, and a few other things for minor bo-boos. I do want to add the Israeli bandage (I have some in my get home bag) and some quickclot sponges and a tourniquet just in case. The war in Iran/Afghanistan has brought back the use of the tourniquet. They have found that even after two hours the limb can still be viable and most transport time from application to ER is WAY less than two hours. You still need to record the application time.
Sorry I kinda rambled here but the main thing is get some sort of first aid training. It doesn't take much know how to put pressure on a wound, but do you know how/when to move someone, or how to splint a fracture (or should you splint), What do you do if the patient stops breathing etc. With the training you will know what you need to carry.
So really I think your first question should be what is your training level? What do you know how to use? Then go from there with your kit. I've made tons of medical calls but most were just sick calls, the only thing I did was assess the patient and take vitals and wait for EMS. I've done CPR/AED a few times (no success so hope you don't go down by me
). Even on crashes it's usually just package the patient and get them ready to transport. So back to the question what do you carry in your fist aid kit? I jokingly say 4x4, roll gause, and triangle bandage is all you need. But if that is all you have you can actually patch up most wounds long enough for EMS. Of course we are talking about normal times. I'm not really going to talk about TEOTWAWKI. If you are in a situation that you have to use quickclot or a tourniquet and don't have a Dr. (that knows Emergency medicine) or hospital VERY close you are more than likely going to be SOL. Sorry that's just the way it is.I have worked a couple of severe bleeds and have always just used direct pressure with success. Start with a sterile 4x4 then top with non sterile sponges as it soaks through. Had one where a guy fell and hit his head on a desk he was in shock when we arrived (blood EVERYWHERE it looked like a slaughter house) we put direct pressure and slowed it down but it wouldn't stop. Even after the paramedics arrived and used quickclot it wouldn't stop. Turns out he had nicked an artery in his forehead. He lost two pints of blood. I knew the guy and later told him he better be glad, we talked about using a tourniquet on his neck to stop the bleeding but thought he wouldn't appreciate that.
In my truck kit, as I said earlier I keep 4x4, roll gauze, triangle bandage, assorted band-aids, an oral airway, CPR barrier, BP kit, antibiotic ointment, and a few other things for minor bo-boos. I do want to add the Israeli bandage (I have some in my get home bag) and some quickclot sponges and a tourniquet just in case. The war in Iran/Afghanistan has brought back the use of the tourniquet. They have found that even after two hours the limb can still be viable and most transport time from application to ER is WAY less than two hours. You still need to record the application time.
Sorry I kinda rambled here but the main thing is get some sort of first aid training. It doesn't take much know how to put pressure on a wound, but do you know how/when to move someone, or how to splint a fracture (or should you splint), What do you do if the patient stops breathing etc. With the training you will know what you need to carry.
