The last thing you need at a chaotic motor vehicle crash is to waste time searching for equipment. Preparation is the best way to efficiently cater to the needs of the injured while transporting.
Here are a few tips:
- If you have room, put your straps on the board. It’s much easier to readjust at the scene than to waste time carrying the set of straps and assembling everything at the crux of stabilization.
- Purchase a c-spine bag. Of course, you can buy an expensive ‘Medical Bag,’ but an ordinary duffle bag should be fine to begin with. After repeated use, you’ll notice that industrial strength zippers work much better than the cheaper ones.
- Build a c-spine bag. This bag should have ALL the gear (sans backboard) that you’ll need to properly backboard your patient. For example, be sure to pack cervical collars (from pediatric to large adult sizes), head blocks (or towel rolls), 2" tape, duct tape, scissors, etc. Each agency should cater the bag to their specific response area and needs. Always put enough equipment in each c-spine bag to immobilize at least two patients.
Imagine the next car crash where, instead of running back and forth between the ambulance and the patients for medical gear, you can simply place the c-spine bag in the center of the working scene for all to use.