Any EMT or First Responders here?

[Big Rig]

I have a couple questions about First Responder kits for an office setting...post or PM please.

[Capt. Morgan]

There's quite a few of us. Post your questions and we'll see if we can answer

[Hoser]

Trauma kit, O2 and an automatic defibrillator for a start.  Hoser

[chip]

  Yep. the newer defibrillator's or the best. I train with the red cross every year. Wish it was more often.The defibrillator's now talk you all the way through. Make sure all the people in your office have and can read clear directions for the EMT to find and enter the building . People freak in an emergency.

[fudgie]

Yea, what ya got questions about?

Good idea to learn CPR and CCR also.

[Monkey Boy]

The Zoll A.E.D's are very good they are self explainatory, they are made more for the general public, and walk you through step by step in what to do to operate it as well as tell you when to initiate CPR and when to stop.  We use this kind on our fire dept and I like it a lot better than our old one.  Zoll's are the ones you will see in like Walmart and stuff hanging on the wall. Probly want to get your place of work certified for CPR. the Red Cross offers this with a minimal fee as well as American Heart Association.  Definately want to get a trauma kit and some o2 with some non rebreather masks possibly some nasal cannulas as well.  Might want to get in touch with you local EMS service and ask them what they would recommend as well different states may require places to have different things.

[fudgie]

You may also get a grant to get a AED. Check with your provider or FD. As far as the O2 that can get pricey. The regulator is usually a couple hundred $$. Then you need to get a tank and try and get it exchanged when low.

Best thing to do is take a First reponder class. You do not need to be affiliated (EMS/ FD) with anyone to take the class. 2 months long and just need to keep up on class time for the cert.

all this stuff is useless if you dont know how to do it.

[cutter]

Other than a AED and knowing CPR, you would need to be trained to do much else. Like Fudgie said check with you local FD or Hospital district to see what additional training you can receive.

[stude31]

Might message gunslinger and he can give you his input since he too is an EMT.  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?action=profile;u=1096.

[medic263]

I'm a medic.  Used to teach first aid and cpr for controlled access building on a military base.  Gloves, basic bandaging supplies, CPR face mask, AED if in the budget.  Zip bags for ice packs if you have an ice machine around...  Don't need a lot of the fancy stuff, basic stuff does wonders!
Marcia
Also, as many folks said to check with your local fire dept or EMS, they can tell you what brand equipment/monitors they carry.  You may be able to work out something with them to swap out supplies used on people or if the supplies are getting close to expiration.  Some of the folks may also be instructors and can make your business a good deal for classes.

[Big Rig]

Thanks for the feedback everyone,

here is the situation, my company has 4 building with 1/2 mile of each other, we have between 200 to 500 people per building, we have 1 AED on each floor of each building.

I am certified emergency responder, trouble is I am the only one on my floor and travel between all 4. We have training sessions every other year. But if people do not sign up, well you all know how that goes. So I was asked to looking into First Responder kits, I am being told that $$$ is not an option.

A little back ground to the story this past Friday morning while I was in one of the other building, a man working in the kitchen had a heart attack and passed away. Since i am usually the only first responder in the building at the time, only those that were untrained (kitchen staff) were there until the EMT's showed up. Unfortunately, he did not make it. 39 YO...needless to say, it was a tough day last Friday.

We had a meeting today with office management and a few others. So I am working with our IT department to get all those trained on a call list with automatic calling for emergencies.

I am also looking into these kits to place in each floor, basicaaly looking for BP cuffs and CPR masks with some bandages. So i am asking thise who know here to give me some pointers.

 

[fudgie]

Hate to say this but it usually takes a incident to get the ball rolling. Since this happened you should have a few people interested. Take advantage of this and get training set up. CPR/CCR would be the priorities. Check out Galls online. They have kits available. Like Marcia said, just the basics are needed. Train more then once a year. monthly would be great.

CCR is really new and far easier for the common folks to learn.

[Gunslinger]

Might message gunslinger and he can give you his input since he too is an EMT.  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?action=profile;u=1096.

Paramedic actually...
It's like being and EMT who forgot all the important stuff.

[Gunslinger]

If you go the AED route, I would suggest contacting whatever Fire and/or EMS agency responds to your location. It is mighty helpful when equipment is compatible.

I would actually start with the local EMS agency and contact them for help setting up some EMR/Firstaid/CPR/CCR classes. It doesn't surprise me that there has been little interest from your coworkers in these types of classes, but this incident may bring some interest.

[sugerbear]

possibly check with the company ins carrier. there might be a discount for having that stuff there.

bean counters love discounts

and gee i hope that guys family doesn't sue for not having trained people and equipment on site.