EMS "jump" bags

[morriss]

I was wondering if most companies are using "jump" bags for their EMS equipment or some other means of carrying it on the apparatus. Specifically, are you putting all of the equipment together in one package (i.e. is the O2, bandaging/splinting, B/P cuffs, etc. all together) or do you have several bags for each of these areas?

My department wants to consolidate all of the individual bags into one bag (they say then all of the equipment will reach the scene). I think the combined bag will weigh too much for carrying.

Granted, most transport distances for the equipment is short, but there are times when you have to go into a factory or apartment house that requires long travel distances.

Thanks in advance.

[Romania]

There is a related post in the EMS GENERAL FORUM called BOXES or BAGS. I have found that a single jump bag for BLS equipment can be setup rather easily. We have many sets of BLS gear in a single bag that we get from Boundtree/ALS. It works very well. The hardest part was convincing our EMTs that a jump bag doesn't have to carry everything! You don't need 8 NRB masks in a jump bag, or 10 multi-trauma dressings. (no I am not making this up :-).

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Alan Romania, CEP
romania@uswest.net
IAFF Local 3449

My Opinions do not reflect the opnions of the IAFF or Local 3449.