Trauma Bags

1. What Makes a Good Trauma Bag? What is a Trauma Bag? That’s simple, a First Aid bag is used by individuals trained in basic care. A Trauma Bag is used by medical professionals. These recommendations are for personal use by a trained Paramedic, EMT, Fire Fighter or trained Rescuer in off-duty situations. This is not intended to be used as a guide for how to pack service bags. As a Paramedic with 40 years experience, I found that I still MacGyver my way out of a lot of off duty situations but there are times I wished I had more equipment. Buying a kit is a personal purchase but think with your head. You want a good warranty, material that will last, and features that will last beyond the life of the bag. Think of name brand features like:

2. Skill Level Paramedics, EMT’sand Fire Fighters can use all the basic equipment on an ambulance. Police and most rescue personnel can be equally trained to use that equipment. Equipment we think of as basic, should be viewed as advanced to basic first aiders: BVM’s, oral and nasal airways, hand suction, etc. Cost How much do you want to spend on a kit? An empty high quality trauma kit can run several hundred dollars, stocked you can double that amount. If you are a volunteer rescuer and use it quite often, then I recommend something more durable and larger to hold all your gear. A trauma kit for an off-duty medic who wants a good kit for personal use can get away with something smaller and less expensive. Ability to use the kit If you live in a region where you can use your skills off-duty, then your kits will be more comprehensive. Where I live, Paramedics are not permitted to perform advanced skills like administer medications or intubation when off-duty.

3. BASIC Level Car First Aid Kit I get asked what makes a good First Aid kit at least once a week. This is a loaded question because some people think that the more, the better. As a Paramedic with 40 years experience, I’ve become a minimalist, I only carry what I truly need. Over the years, my kit has dwindled down to a bare bones kit. I am not a fan of pre-stocked kits. My answer to what makes a good Car First Aid Kit is simply: buy the equipment you are trained to use and feel comfortable using. Remember, the idea of a Car First Aid is to provide basic emergency care until the Paramedics arrive or you get the patient to the hospital. The Paramedics will remove the dressings to inspect the injury and again at the hospital, the dressings will be removed, the wound assessed, cleaned and repaired. If it’s a minor cut or scrape then take your time to dress it correctly. A First Aid Kit is different from a Trauma Kit. We will talk about that later in another post.

4. Travel Medical Monitoring Equipment I have seen some truly archaic medical facilities in my travels that were horrifying. Don’t expect North American style health care in some countries. For this reason, I carry a few items that some might think is a little overboard, but I feel safer knowing I have them. You don’t need to have 40 years of Paramedic experience like myself to use this equipment. If you buy it, use it at home before travelling so you know how the products work before you need them. · Wrist Blood Pressure Cuff: keep track of your blood pressure · Kardiamobile ECG monitor: keep track of heart health, I use the 6 lead unit · Glucometer: anytime someone has a reduced level of awareness or a diabetic · Nextemp Thermometer strips: fever · Pulse Oximeter: just the small fingertip unit to monitor SPO2 and pulse

5. Store Address Sands Canada Inc. 300 Central Ave W Box 1752 Brockville, ON K6V 6K8 Call Us Tel: 800-563-0911 Fax: 613-345-2451 Store Hours Monday - Friday: 8AM - 4PM Saturday - Sunday: Closed Comments Sands will be closed the following days calendar year 2022: Christmas Break - December 23rd, 2021 - January 4th, 2022, Family Day - February 21st, Good Friday - April 15th, Easter Monday - April 18th, Victoria Day - May 23rd, Canada Day - July 1st, Civic Holiday - August 1st , Labour Day - September 5th, Thanksgiving - October 10th, Christmas Break - December 23rd, 2022 - January 3, 2023.