EMT stethoscope and equipment

RelloydRN · Apr 17, 2010

Buy your penlight too. Plus rechargeable batteries(you're going to be using this one for a long time and would not want to buy batteries every time) and of course, the charger! I suggest buying the ones with incandescent light as they provide warm and not so blinding light enough to elicit pupillary reactions. Also, the colors will be more realistic compared to the strong white LED ones (e.g. throat examination, etc.).

j_tay1981 · Apr 18, 2010

I don't think a Littmann Classic is 'cocky' at all - in fact, it seems to be pretty much a standard model to get (Littmann is the standard brand at the hospital I do clinical at, anyways). It's a great scope. Just keep your eye on it - don't leave it at a scene or let somebody 'borrow' it!

Pepperpants · Apr 18, 2010

Thank you guys! I haven't expected such a quick reply. :smokin:

Really kind of both of you! OK, I get a penlight, though I have an old one, but that is really "blinding"... Incandescent one. Gonna check on ebay, etc...

What else should I be considering to have as my own equipment. I have a Riester spghymomanometer, which is really a sturdy one.. Really precise, prefer it to the electric ones..

Any other suggestions? I am just thinking that it cannot do any harm to have my own basic equipment, I know the ambulance cars have these but I guess it is overused by previous staff... Of course I will not by an ECG machine though.. ha ha :)

RelloydRN · Apr 18, 2010

I almost forgot, it would be nice to have one of those shear scissors that can cut through jeans and clothes. I also agree that Littman is not that cocky at all. It just means that you care about quality assessments.

CorpsmanRN, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2010

Definitely not cocky. I have 2 Littmanns, one being a master cardiology, but I love my cardio III because I love that I can use the smaller bell/diaphragm on peds or even elderly who are frail or smaller in frame. I've had that one for nearly 10yrs & the only thing I've had to replace is the black rim on the bigger diaphragm.

I'm a nursing student but also NREMT-B. I agree with others in getting a pen light (I have a Prestige medical one) & "penny cutters" - the EMT scissors that cut through clothing (& can in fact cut a penny). I'm trying to remember what I used during my ride-along, but don't think it was more than what's been mentioned (as a Medic you'll analyze EKGs right? Do they recommend calipers? I'm thinking there may not be time to analyze that in depth, but curious). Oh, did carry tape (like 1 1/2") to throw on my leg to jot down vitals/info. versus writing it on your glove - which you will take off along with the info.

Question: Do the rigs not have a manual spghymomanometer? Why would you want to use your own on patients?

Sounds like you are set though. A quality steth does make a difference when you're trying to listen to sounds all while you've got the siren blaring :) Have fun!

Pepperpants · Apr 19, 2010

I guess the ambulance staff has a spghymomanometer in the rig, but where I am gonna work first is a bit different... Gonna be messing around in the suburbs (teacher says that's the best to gain experience) and some of the ambulance staff is badly-equipped. Means cheap steths, sometimes overused bp cuffs, etc.. No kidding.

Therefore I think I just get myself some personal equipment to avoid this. Of course, I ain't gonna buy an ECG machine and things like that... just some basic things.

Guys, you are really kind with all the replies. so a penny-cutter is useful then? I will hunt one down as well, but I guess the ambulance car has that one for sure.. (Sounds like I am gonna work on a war-field...)

Any other suggestions welcome though, I am a newbie in this field.

:up:

mcknis · Apr 22, 2010

Get your own stethoscope (Littmann is good, not cocky! Spragues are cheap). Have you own BP cuff around, but don't take it with you to work. You'll look cocky then. Even if the squad does not have "quality" material goods, it is their responsibility to provide that. Trauma shears/scssors, no name brand work just fine. Nothing expensive except for the steth. good luck!

Pepperpants · Apr 22, 2010

Thanks mate! Yeah, maybe you are right, I will not bring the spghymomanometer. Just a friend told me they had seen weird stuff like over-used bp cuffs with holes on them, literally being useless taking bp... Anyway I find it ickey to use someone else's steht, so it should be a strict minimum to have my own... But there are weird conditions out there sometimes you know.. It is Hungary we talk about.. It is a cool country, but when it comes to healthcare ... Not always biscuits and overnight sensation..

Do you guys know how will it be for us EMTs and paramedics to have hospital practice? We have ambulance practice, when we hit the streets and collect ill people but we have received a schedule for hundreds of hours hospital and trauma practice...

Is it gonna be just observing and some nursing or are we gonna be trained for internal medicine and toxicology as well... I hope so, I guess it would be more than nursing only (which is a good thing though), but getting some experience in diagnosis too in a basic level...

Hope I did not ask something horribly stupid... :)

Really cool to be on this forum, so many good people around immediately giving a supporting reply... Feel like being a kid here with my dumb and not too professional questions. Thank you guys anyways.. (Just please consider the fact that I am in a learning stage)

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 22, 2010

Get a single tubed stetho if you are gonna be running in a rig. I had a double and hated it. You hear the tubes bouncing and grinding when you are tearing ass code 3 down a street.