The Top 5 EMT/Medic Gear Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
As an EMT or Paramedic, your gear is the backbone of your ability to provide rapid and effective care in emergency situations. Every second counts, and making mistakes with your equipment can jeopardize patient care or slow down your response time. In this post, we’ll cover common mistakes in EMS gear and offer solutions to ensure you’re always prepared.
1. Poor Gear Organization
Mistake: Throwing gear into a bag without organization can lead to frustration when seconds matter. Searching through a disorganized bag during an emergency wastes precious time.
Solution: Keep your gear organized with dedicated compartments in your EMS bag. For example, the Rothco EMS Rescue Bag provides multiple compartments, ensuring all of your medical supplies are easily accessible. The Rothco Trauma Kit Backpack is perfect for those needing a comprehensive, portable solution for carrying all trauma essentials. With organized gear, you can move swiftly without wasting time digging for your tools.
2. Not Performing Regular Gear Checks
Mistake: Neglecting to inspect and restock your gear regularly can leave you unprepared for the next emergency. Missing or expired supplies could mean you’re lacking crucial equipment when it’s most needed.
Solution: Make daily and weekly gear checks a priority. Ensure all essential tools are stocked and functional. Keep your bags and pouches replenished after every call to ensure you’re never caught off guard. It’s also helpful to restock items on a regular basis to ensure they’re readily available when required.
3. Carrying Too Much or Too Little Gear
Mistake: Overpacking with unnecessary items can weigh you down, while under-packing leaves you without important tools. Striking the right balance is key.
Solution: Use compact pouches and MOLLE systems to carry only what you need. For example, the Rothco MOLLE Tactical Tourniquet and Shear Holder Pouch allows you to carry life-saving tools like tourniquets and shears without adding bulk. Also, consider separate holsters for frequently used or urgent items. Access to naloxone is crucial in opioid overdose emergencies. The Rothco MOLLE Narcan Nasal Spray Pouch keeps Narcan readily available for fast deployment in life-threatening situations. Store your tourniquet in an easily accessible location. The Rothco MOLLE Tactical Tourniquet and Shear Holder Pouch ensures your tourniquet is always ready for use, minimizing the time spent looking for it during critical moments. When choosing a bag or gear, consider what you’ll actually need in the field to avoid carrying unnecessary weight.
4. Ignoring Personal Comfort & Safety Gear
Mistake: Wearing uncomfortable footwear or failing to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) can cause fatigue and put you at risk for injury or contamination.
Solution: Invest in comfortable, durable footwear like the Under Armour Stellar G2 Tactical Boots. These boots offer support for long shifts, reducing foot fatigue and preventing injuries. The Rothco Guardian Composite Toe Tactical Boots provide added protection against impact hazards while ensuring all-day comfort. Additionally, always have nitrile gloves on hand, such as the North American Rescue Responder Black Nitrile Gloves, to ensure safety and hygiene.
5. Failing to Secure Small, High-Use Items
Mistake: Losing important tools like your trauma shears, pen, or stethoscope because they’re not properly secured is a common mistake. Not being able to quickly access these items in the field can cause unnecessary delays.
Solution: Use an EMS holster set like the Rothco EMS Emergency Response Holster Set to keep your small tools organized and securely within reach. This set is ideal for carrying essentials like shears, gloves, pens and even a stethoscope without the risk of losing them.
Bonus Tip 1: Train with New Gear
Regularly practice with your gear so you can use it efficiently in high-pressure situations. Familiarize yourself with how to use tools like tourniquets, airway devices, and bleeding control kits. This training will help you stay composed and effective when every second counts.
Bonus Tip 2: Waterproof Critical Items
Critical documents or patient information getting ruined due to rain or spills is a preventable issue. Wet paper or notebooks can lead to lost information and compromised documentation. Invest in a waterproof EMS notebook like the Rite in the Rain Field Interview Notebook to protect notes from water damage. Whether it’s rain or accidental spills, this notebook ensures you can take notes in any condition.
Conclusion
Proper gear organization and maintenance are vital for EMTs and Medics to stay efficient and prepared during emergencies. By investing in the right gear, staying organized, and training regularly, you’ll be able to provide the best care possible under high-stress conditions. Don’t let common gear mistakes slow you down—equip yourself with the right tools and be ready for anything.
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