News and Business
When ER24 paramedics attend a home call or trauma scene, the first thing they grab from the ambulance is a bag stocked with essential medical supplies for emergency responders.
Unzipping real help, real fast
“The jump bag is a paramedic’s lifeline – a collection of medical equipment and supplies for immediate, life-saving interventions in any environment,” explains Greg Wilcox, ER24 Regional Manager Northern Region. “Once unzipped, it offers all the necessary tools for immediate emergency care at the scene of trauma”.
Fluid management in emergency care
It’s vital that every jump bag contains fluid bags containing saline and other solutions. These are essential for treating shock, dehydration, and maintaining access to the patient’s bloodstream. “In some emergency situations, rapid fluid resuscitation can mean the difference between life and death, particularly in trauma cases with significant blood loss or when patients experience severe dehydration,” says Wilcox. The fluid bag setup includes intravenous (IV) tubing and various-sized catheters.
Airway management
The airway bag contains tools for securing and maintaining a patient’s airway when they’re battling to breathe. This bag usually includes bag-valve masks, oral and nasal airways, endotracheal tubes (inserted through the mouth into the windpipe), laryngoscopes (a tube inserted through the mouth or nose), and surgical airway equipment. A manual suction unit, also known as an aspirator, works in tandem with airway management tools and augments the battery-operated suction machine. These devices remove obstructions from a patient’s airway that can hinder breathing – like mucus, saliva, vomit, or blood.
Specialised emergency equipment
Maternity pouches contain specialised equipment for obstetric emergencies and unexpected deliveries. These include sterile delivery kits containing umbilical cord clamps, bulb syringes for newborn airway clearing, and warming blankets. “Having dedicated equipment for obstetric emergencies ensures the best outcome for both mother and baby during an emergency delivery,” says Wilcox.
Hydrogel burn dressings, e.g., Burnshield, provide immediate cooling and pain relief for burn injuries. “Because these hydrogel-based dressings don’t need water for cooling, they’re ideal for emergency situations where water isn’t immediately available,” says Wilcox. Hydrogel dressings also help prevent further tissue damage.
Wound management
Bandages and wound care supplies include different sizes of gauze, pressure dressings, elastic bandages, adhesive tape, tourniquets and in some cases blood-clotting agents. From minor lacerations to severe traumatic injuries, the correct bandaging materials ensure bleeding is controlled, and wounds are properly managed during transport.
As Wilcox explains, “Every item in the ER24 jump bag is carefully chosen to help medics deliver complete, effective care – no matter how challenging the conditions or how far from help they may be.”