In need of a safety vest. - EMTLife.com - The #1 Online Forum for EMS-Related Discussion

FireStrut · 08-27-2007, 09:29 PM

Hello Everyone,

I am need of a safety vest when I am working a mva. I have been looking on the net and there are so many differnet styles to choose from. So my question is, what do you use. Please post pics if you can and where you/employer bought the vest. I like this one, Dyna Med EMS Utility Vest, has anyone ever used this one? Is this a good vest or something that just gets in the way.

Epi-do · 08-27-2007, 10:22 PM

The FD bought us flash gear that we have to wear whenever we are on an mva run. Since it has all of the reflective striping that the guys' bunker gear has, we don't need to wear the vests. I hope you are able to find one that you like!

**MMiz** · 08-28-2007, 07:01 AM

I don't want to say it, but I think you should take into consideration what others may think of you if you showed up on scene wearing whatever vest.

You can easily purchase a relatively cheap ANSI mesh vest that may meet your needs. I know safety is first, and it doesn't matter what others think about me, but I just can't see myself wearing a Rescue-Randy type vest.

PArescueEMT · 08-30-2007, 04:28 AM

Thanks for the ego boost matt... That DynaMed vest is our standard for our calls out here... if we get a fire or an MVA, we have rescue gear that we wear. I personally like the idea of the extrication jumpsuit that galls sells for MVA's

http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...FE578&cat=2681

i know that it's a little pricey, but it was well worth it, i am going to replace mine as soon as possible.

rgnoon · 08-30-2007, 12:54 PM

Hey the vest isn't as bad as our jumpsuits. I put the thing on and look like a smurf-blue mechanic. A very visible mechanic, but a mechanic no less.

**Airwaygoddess** · 08-30-2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellowhammer

Hello Everyone,

I am need of a safety vest when I am working a mva. I have been looking on the net and there are so many differnet styles to choose from. So my question is, what do you use. Please post pics if you can and where you/employer bought the vest. I like this one, Dyna Med EMS Utility Vest, has anyone ever used this one? Is this a good vest or something that just gets in the way.

Hi Yellow hammer! we have those vests and let me tell you, they are well made you can put them in the washing maching (gentle cycle, then let drip dry) good pocket space. LOVE THEM!!!

PArescueEMT · 08-30-2007, 04:17 PM

i like them for all of the BaSic medical calls, but for the MVA's and fires, i have to admit that it is nice to have bunker gear as an old standby. Mid-winter, nothing keeps you as warm as your bunkers.

**Jon** · 08-31-2007, 06:26 PM

I think Matt had a good point.

Whatever you are getting as a safety vest for MVA's needs to be AT LEAST an ANSI Level II, an an ANSI Level III would be a good thing. Bunker Gear is not enough - you don't have enough "obnoxiously bright, non-reflective" material.... Many FD's are now wearing ANSI III vests OVER their turnouts on MVA's.

The blue vest might be useful in some settings... I can't see myself wearing one in my current setting and the culture I work in... they aren't used, and I'd be EVEN MORE of a whacker. (I'm not knocking anyone who wears them... they just aren't used around here).

PArescueEMT · 09-01-2007, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon

I'd be EVEN MORE of a whacker.

Is that even possible??

MedikErik · 09-01-2007, 08:27 PM

I use the standard orange traffic vests, but usually I'm in bunker gear. Vests are nice, but they don't really protect you that well from glass, acid, and all the other lovely things that exist in smashed up cars.

If you're EMS only and can't get issued bunker gear, do what I did back before I became a firefighter: I went to the chief, told him I was tired of getting cut up on wrecks, and I was filing for workers comp next time I got a gash deeper than half an inch due to not having adequate protection. I had a (albeit used) set of gear the next day.

08-27-2007, 10:22 PM	#2
Epi-do I see dead people Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: central Indiana Posts: 1,865 Training: EMT-Paramedic	The FD bought us flash gear that we have to wear whenever we are on an mva run. Since it has all of the reflective striping that the guys' bunker gear has, we don't need to wear the vests. I hope you are able to find one that you like! __________________ Don't outsmart your common sense.

08-28-2007, 07:01 AM	#3
MMiz Community Leader I put the M in EMTLife Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Down South Posts: 1,000,004,290 Training: EMT-Basic	I don't want to say it, but I think you should take into consideration what others may think of you if you showed up on scene wearing whatever vest. You can easily purchase a relatively cheap ANSI mesh vest that may meet your needs. I know safety is first, and it doesn't matter what others think about me, but I just can't see myself wearing a Rescue-Randy type vest. __________________ Matt EMT-B

08-31-2007, 06:26 PM	#8
Jon Community Leader Community Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 7,796 Training: EMT-Paramedic	I think Matt had a good point. Whatever you are getting as a safety vest for MVA's needs to be AT LEAST an ANSI Level II, an an ANSI Level III would be a good thing. Bunker Gear is not enough - you don't have enough "obnoxiously bright, non-reflective" material.... Many FD's are now wearing ANSI III vests OVER their turnouts on MVA's. The blue vest might be useful in some settings... I can't see myself wearing one in my current setting and the culture I work in... they aren't used, and I'd be EVEN MORE of a whacker. (I'm not knocking anyone who wears them... they just aren't used around here). __________________ EMTLife.com used to be my life. Now there are pesky distractions like school, work, and friends. But I still like this place. The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer(s) / Companies or the organization(s) through which I access the Internet N3VZG By Popular Demand, the Cert and Merit Badge Sash: NREMT-P, PA EMT-P, ACLS, PALS, ITLS, GEMS, BLS Instructor, BCLS, PA Act 235, OCAT, PATH, And I once stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

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08-27-2007, 09:29 PM	#1
FireStrut Forum Crew Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hamilton, Alabama Posts: 52 Training: Firefighter\EMT-B	In need of a safety vest. Hello Everyone, I am need of a safety vest when I am working a mva. I have been looking on the net and there are so many differnet styles to choose from. So my question is, what do you use. Please post pics if you can and where you/employer bought the vest. I like this one, Dyna Med EMS Utility Vest, has anyone ever used this one? Is this a good vest or something that just gets in the way. __________________ Joshua 24:15 "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” St. John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

08-30-2007, 04:28 AM	#4
PArescueEMT Forum Bartender Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mauricetown, NJ Posts: 628 Training: EMT-Basic	Thanks for the ego boost matt... That DynaMed vest is our standard for our calls out here... if we get a fire or an MVA, we have rescue gear that we wear. I personally like the idea of the extrication jumpsuit that galls sells for MVA's http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...FE578&cat=2681 i know that it's a little pricey, but it was well worth it, i am going to replace mine as soon as possible.

08-30-2007, 12:54 PM	#5
rgnoon Forum Lieutenant Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 188	Hey the vest isn't as bad as our jumpsuits. I put the thing on and look like a smurf-blue mechanic. A very visible mechanic, but a mechanic no less.

08-30-2007, 04:17 PM	#7
PArescueEMT Forum Bartender Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mauricetown, NJ Posts: 628 Training: EMT-Basic	i like them for all of the BaSic medical calls, but for the MVA's and fires, i have to admit that it is nice to have bunker gear as an old standby. Mid-winter, nothing keeps you as warm as your bunkers.

09-01-2007, 08:27 PM	#10
MedikErik Forum Crew Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: People's Republic of Maryland Posts: 78 Training: NREMT-P	I use the standard orange traffic vests, but usually I'm in bunker gear. Vests are nice, but they don't really protect you that well from glass, acid, and all the other lovely things that exist in smashed up cars. If you're EMS only and can't get issued bunker gear, do what I did back before I became a firefighter: I went to the chief, told him I was tired of getting cut up on wrecks, and I was filing for workers comp next time I got a gash deeper than half an inch due to not having adequate protection. I had a (albeit used) set of gear the next day.