As a three-gun and precision rifle competitor I've been carrying a basic IFAK kit on my ruck for a while. As a first responder, and having had the field medic course for grunts in the Army (and having used those skills as a contractor long ago), I wanted to be able to do what I could in the unlikely event of an accident - always aware of the limits of my scope of practice, of course. But I'd like to update the kit after the state EMT-B exam. Suggestions sought:
- Iodine sponge, anti-bacterial gel, alcohol wipes, burn ointment.
- Motrin, Tylenol, and baby aspirin.
- Tweezers, safety pins, scissors, hemostats, knife, and LED light.
- New GI issue tourniquet.
- Assorted bandages from bandaids to 4x4s to 8x8s.
- Asherman chest seal (I assisted on a SCW in Colombia in '89 and will always maintain that an occlusive dressing is essential when you have a long wait for transport after taking one thru the lungs and CAN make a difference. Our guy lived despite an hour waiting for transport then a one+ hour ride.).
- Two triangle cravats, two rolls of cling wrap, one 3" compression wrap, and roll of 1" tape.
- One 36" SAM splint.
- One QuickClot sponge for injuries that can't be compressed and elevated and won't respond to anything else (Am seeking further training from those who have used it; a county near me actually carries on the truck.).
- Adult NPA and lube.
- CPR barrier mask.
- BP cuff and stethoscope
Secondly, I have asked this question of EMT-Bs and Paras in my state, but have received conflicting answers: am I risking my certification/job/civil penalties by responding within the full scope of EMT-B practice a situation like this while off duty and in an unofficial capacity?
I have been told ...
"I wouldn't open the kit, or even take one. I would do nothing more than walk to cellphone range and call ALS."
"I wouldn't do anything more than dress bleeds with bandages and render CPR."
"I would use everything except the QuikClot and the Asherman, cuz a sucking chest wound is going to be DOA that far in the woods and I don't trust that QuickClot stuff."
"I would use absolutely everything in the kit without hesitation as long as I was properly trained for it."
"I would use anything and everything available if one of my friends had catastrophic injuries and the consequences be damned."
What course of action do you guys recommend? I don't want to risk my certification, but I also don't want to stand around with my thumb up my butt while a friend or fellow competitor bleeds out in front of me.
- Iodine sponge, anti-bacterial gel, alcohol wipes, burn ointment.
- Motrin, Tylenol, and baby aspirin.
- Tweezers, safety pins, scissors, hemostats, knife, and LED light.
- New GI issue tourniquet.
- Assorted bandages from bandaids to 4x4s to 8x8s.
- Asherman chest seal (I assisted on a SCW in Colombia in '89 and will always maintain that an occlusive dressing is essential when you have a long wait for transport after taking one thru the lungs and CAN make a difference. Our guy lived despite an hour waiting for transport then a one+ hour ride.).
- Two triangle cravats, two rolls of cling wrap, one 3" compression wrap, and roll of 1" tape.
- One 36" SAM splint.
- One QuickClot sponge for injuries that can't be compressed and elevated and won't respond to anything else (Am seeking further training from those who have used it; a county near me actually carries on the truck.).
- Adult NPA and lube.
- CPR barrier mask.
- BP cuff and stethoscope
Secondly, I have asked this question of EMT-Bs and Paras in my state, but have received conflicting answers: am I risking my certification/job/civil penalties by responding within the full scope of EMT-B practice a situation like this while off duty and in an unofficial capacity?
I have been told ...
"I wouldn't open the kit, or even take one. I would do nothing more than walk to cellphone range and call ALS."
"I wouldn't do anything more than dress bleeds with bandages and render CPR."
"I would use everything except the QuikClot and the Asherman, cuz a sucking chest wound is going to be DOA that far in the woods and I don't trust that QuickClot stuff."
"I would use absolutely everything in the kit without hesitation as long as I was properly trained for it."
"I would use anything and everything available if one of my friends had catastrophic injuries and the consequences be damned."
What course of action do you guys recommend? I don't want to risk my certification, but I also don't want to stand around with my thumb up my butt while a friend or fellow competitor bleeds out in front of me.