BLS - Basic Office Equipment

[yoshgoodman]

So I have just done a BLS to volunteer on a community ambulance service.
I work in a large office and the asked me to put together a list of stuff they would need in case of emergency:


Some Info:
Live in South Africa
Average response time of ambulance 30mins.
No current first kit.
Time to closest hospital 15 mins

I have the following:

Must Haves:
AED
Oxygen Tank
Non rebrether mask
Bag VALVE mask
Scissors
Op Tubes
Gloves

Nice extras:
Glucometer
Stethoscope
Thermometer
Sphygmomanometer
Splints
Emergency blanket
Nasal Cannula Mask
Alcohol Swabs

What would you add or remove?

 

[RedAirplane]

I'm not sure about South Africa, but you may need legal authorization to use those things in an emergency.

Things I thought of:
OPA/NPA?
Tourniquet?
Dressings and bandages?
Saline solution?
Cervical collar?
Pen and paper?
Triage tags?
Protective face mask?
Chemical ice packs?

 

[Underoath87]

For an office setting, I would just stick with an AED and maybe a glucometer (if you have diabetics around the office that don't have their own for some reason). I don't see anyone being dismembered by a copy machine and requiring a tourniquet...

 

[RedAirplane]

It sounded like this was for a workplace EMS team?

But if not, less is more.

 

[medicdan]

All of that seems reasonable...

Why are you waiting for EMS, if their response time is double the time to a hospital?

 

[chaz90]

All of that seems reasonable...

Why are you waiting for EMS, if their response time is double the time to a hospital?

There are still plenty of reasons to wait. Most people don't have the ability and/or shouldn't be transporting an unconscious person down to a car and 15 minutes to a hospital. Chest pain, abdominal pain, mild SOB, "sick person"? Sure, toss them in a car and go.

 

[Ewok Jerky]

First aid kit from Wally World + AED

 

[Riaan Vorster]

In SA even with a BLS (EMT-B equivalent), you are still regarded as a FIRST AIDER BY LAW, in the office setting! Very strict HSE legislation. Although you are higher qualified, not even your boss should force you to stock things like OP/ NPA etc. Even Tourniquet's are forbidden in the current scope. A pain in the arse, but keep it simple, and keep out of trouble, out of Department of Labour's way...

A standard regulation 3 first aid kit + your BP cuff/ steth/ AED should keep you safe... That's unfortunately law.. (it sucks I know).

 

[TimRaven]

An AED and a commercial workplace first aid cabinet should do.
Add a trauma kit/burn kit if such hazard is likely (heavy machinery, restaurant kitchen)