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Becoming a first responder is an exciting and gratifying job. Nearly all the people in this field join it out of sheer passion for wanting to help people and save lives. Regardless of where you are in your training or even if you’re just starting the work in the field you need reliable gear that will come in handy in nearly every critical situation or accident. The correct gear in a first responder’s toolbox not only helps them efficiently save lives but also boosts their confidence. If you know you have all the tools you need you can confidently walk into the field and focus on saving lives. Here are some tools you will absolutely need in your gearbox as a first responder.
A Stethoscope
Sure, you can check if the patient in your care in the field is alive or not by taking their pulse, but to determine if a patient’s heartbeat and lungs are healthy, you need a stethoscope. It will help you hear any arrhythmias, murmurs, or watch out for any signs of abnormal vitals. Make sure to look for a durable one that doesn’t break easily. You can consider the ones made out of aluminum, which are quite hardy but also lightweight and are easy to carry.
A Flashlight
Another important first responder gear that you must have is a flashlight. Reliable illumination tools are important because when you’re out in the field, in the dark, you are going to need better visibility to tend to the patients. Nighttime rescues are almost entirely depend on the visibility from these illumination tools. Invest in high-quality flashlights that have a long battery life, are water and impact-resistant resistant and have a strong light. It also helps to have flashlights in different sizes and ranges.
A Multi-tool Set
You might think that as a first responder, you would only need medicine-related tools, but that’s not true. A multi-tool set can serve numerous purposes when it is in the gear box of a first responder. While in the field, you are bound to come across accidents where seatbelts need to be cut, and windows need to be opened. Having a set of scissors, knives, pliers and screwdrivers can quickly solve these issues so you can cut through minor obstacles to reach your patient in time and save their lives.
Communication Devices
First responders heavily rely on communication to do their jobs. Whether it is a nighttime rescue mission at a massive accident site, rescuing people from earthquake debris in the dark, or speaking to doctors in the hospital to help provide the appropriate first aid to complicated cases in an accident, first responders need to rely on tools like body-worn cameras as well as smart tech two-way radios to be able to communicate effectively.
Medical Devices
While your gear box would have multiple types of medical equipment that can help you save lives and provide first aid, some of the medical devices that would absolutely make a difference are listed here, and you should get your hands on them as soon as you can. You would need tourniquets from a trusted brand because too often people die of severe bleeding on accident sites. You would need shears that can cut through tough materials so you can reach your patient. Lastly, you will need a portable defibrillator to be able to revive patients to give them a fighting chance.
Protective Gear
Your protection in the field is as important as saving your patients. If you remain safe and sound, you can help people better and save even more lives. Get yourself a pair of fire-resistant gloves so you can wade through tricky situations involving fire. Investing in ballistic vests can help protect you if you’re working in unstable environments. Respiratory masks are essential if you’re going to an accident site that is compromised with chemical poisoning.Â
Navigation Tools
Sometimes, the first responders are required to go to a tricky field accident site with extensive damage spreading across a large area. If there’s been a natural disaster like an earthquake or a flood, you are going to need navigation tools to help you locate your destination and find your way back. Having a reliable GPS is a must but always keep a physical map with you as a backup as well.
Conclusion
While multiple handy gear items can make you exponentially better at your job and help you save people, the gear listed above is very important, and you should definitely keep these items in your toolbox to stay well prepared.
