When Time Is of the Essence: Emergency First Responder Medical Supplies

No one really likes to talk or think about preparing for emergencies because you’re just immediately flooded with feelings of anxiety and dread. You know the feeling of a knot in your stomach right? That’s what I’m talking about. And that isn’t pleasant in the slightest. But as much as we try to avoid it, the reality of the situation is that accidents can and will happen, especially in uncharted terrain and high-risk terrain. Whether it’s a mere bruise or a more serious cut, it can be quite difficult to get immediate medical attention in a remote area. This is why emergency responders need to be properly equipped with the right supplies so they can treat the injury on the spot and prevent complications and further health issues from developing.

So in that kind of scenario, first responders need to be prepared for literally everything. After all, it’s their prompt reaction that could be the difference between life or death in a risky situation. There’s a lot of useful and life-saving medical supplies out there and it can be difficult to narrow down the choices for a tactical first aid kid. But, with proper guidance, you should be able to pick the right things in no time.

What’s a Tactical First Aid Kit?

A tactical first aid kit is what medics and first responders carry around with them in remote places and emergency situations. They’re somewhat larger than regular first aid kits because you’ll need to pack more supplies for tactical missions in which more people are involved. Some medical practitioners pack lightly, with only the essentials whereas others are the “better be prepared for the worst-case scenario” type with all types of first aid medical supplies. Both are extremes and polar opposites, so if you want to be ready for everything but not carry a heavy first aid kit, you need to prioritise certain items over others.

Consider where you’ll be and how long you’ll be there, as well as how many people will be present. This will give you a better understanding of what supplies you should pack and how many of them you’ll actually need. Let’s have a look at the essential medical supplies together.

What Emergency Rescue Supplies Do You Need?

Whatever the mission or terrain, there are a few universal medical supplies every first responder should have. Here’s a quick breakdown.

Medical Breathing Equipment

This is probably the most vital piece of equipment. We all need to breathe to survive. Once someone starts to have difficulty breathing, it can be very serious and life-threatening. For this reason, you should have breathing tubes and masks ready to go at all times. You can even pack an oxygen tank for more high-alert emergencies to keep the patients breathing no matter what the circumstances are.

If you notice that someone is not breathing and you can’t detect a heartbeat, you need to perform CPR immediately. There are special CPR masks that might assist you in your attempts at pre-hospital treatment until the paramedics are able to arrive at the scene. The faster you act, the higher the chances of survival.

Bandages and Bleeding Control

Various trauma cases and external injuries are not uncommon during tactical missions and a quick response is crucial. With proper disinfection, gauze and bandaging, you should be able to control the bleeding and cover the wound until further medical treatment is available. Remember to apply pressure on the wound itself to prevent significant blood loss.

If the injury isn’t too serious, the patient should be up and running after a short recovery. You can pack a few painkillers and other medications to help relieve any discomfort they might feel in the process.

Burn Treatment

Regardless of the type and placement of the burn, gels, dressings and proper treatment will help ease the pain, pressure and discomfort. This will also speed up the healing process and have patients back on their feet in no time.

Hypothermia Equipment

This is especially important if you’re planning on crossing terrain in cold weather conditions. Once your body temperature starts going down at an alarming speed, your condition and overall wellbeing will start to deteriorate accordingly. For this reason, first responders need to have tactical emergency blankets for extra warmth and handy evacuation bags for casualties who are unable to move their body on command.

Of course, you might find it useful to pack a forehead thermometer to have a decent overview of the bodily temperatures of everyone present. Sometimes hypothermia can creep up on you. Follow the changes that occur over time and make sure to act accordingly.

Reasons to Have Medical Supplies in a Remote Or High-Risk Area

The most obvious reason is the fact that a first aid kit can help you respond and treat common injuries and emergencies in areas where immediate medical attention isn’t readily available. This means that you won’t have to panic or wait helplessly for help to arrive when there’s an emergency. Of course, you can tailor the number and types of supplies you carry based on your needs but in most cases, the essentials are the same. Whatever it is you carry in your emergency pack, it’s bound to make a difference when the clock is ticking and someone’s life is in danger.