BLS backpack

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AVoiceInADarkWorld

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I am looking for a backpack to hold basic BLS supplies to include the following, but not limited to: adult BVM, oxygen tank, non-breather, nasal cannula, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, N95 mask, eye protection, large quantity or box of extra large gloves, regular bandages, among other BLS supplies. There will be no medication’s. Once I get my EMT, I will be getting the “perishable“ supplies from the fire department that I volunteer for and all I have to get is the bag (since I already have the blood pressure, cuff, stethoscope, and shears). I would like for the bag to be black or some other color that makes it look like a normal backpack as well as I would like to be able to put normal stuff into it in addition to the BLS supplies.
 
Does your volunteer department actually let you carry oxygen in a personal jump bag?
 
why? what is the purpose of this bag? will you be using it as a first responder? or is it for personal use?

I've only been doing this for ~25 years, which has guided my opinion on this: I f you haven't renewed your EMT card at least once, you shouldn't be responding POV to a medical emergency. you don't have the experience to manage a patient without the full resources behind you of an ambulance and a more experienced partner. you don't have enough education to do more than basic hand holding. and after you have been holding that patient's hand and the ambulance is 20 minute out, what are you going to do, especially on a sick patient??

I've had my own bag for my personal EMS supplies for over a decade... my own sheers, duty belt, scope, pulse ox, jacket, winter hat and gloves, helmet, oxygen wrench, and radio holster... just stuff to keep all of my personal stuff in one place, so when I went on the ambulance, I had all of my stuff in one place, vs keeping it in various location in my car, at home, etc. I think the bag was an old gym bag,

now if you are going to be using this when you respond POV to calls, I would wait until you passed your EMT exam before you got it. but that's just my opinion.
 
I will be using it as a first responder and maybe (if the department lets me) at work. Most of the time, those who respond to POV to calls in my city are followed very very shortly by either more people responding POV or the Fire Department career staff or an ambulance.
 
AVoiceInADarkWorld said:
they have made it our responsibility to get the bag
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I said their recommendation, not get a bag from them. I strongly recommend you follow @DrParasite 's advice and wait until you complete EMT class. Then you'll have a better understanding of what equipment you actually need and how to use it.
 
AVoiceInADarkWorld said:
they have made it our responsibility to get the bag
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Your responsibilities go way beyond that when you're the only responder on scene, even if it's only for a few minutes. Your volunteer agency can't shield you from all of that. Don't ignore the advice you've been given by others here.
 
AVoiceInADarkWorld said:
to include the following, but not limited to: adult BVM, oxygen tank, non-breather, nasal cannula, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, N95 mask, eye protection, large quantity or box of extra large gloves, regular bandages, among other BLS supplies.
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I would recommend using a separate bag for the O2 tank and supplies, so the backpack can be smaller and easier to carry. At my first job 20 years ago, they had backpacks that included the O2 tank, and it was a *bear* to carry around. Having a lighter backpack (or butt bag) and a separate O2 bag with handles is much more convenient and comfortable, IMO.

O2 Bag with Handles.jpg
 
mgr22 said:
Your responsibilities go way beyond that when you're the only responder on scene, even if it's only for a few minutes. Your volunteer agency can't shield you from all of that. Don't ignore the advice you've been given by others here.
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I am just saying that that part of the equipment has been made our responsibility to obtain
 
berkeman said:
I would recommend using a separate bag for the O2 tank and supplies, so the backpack can be smaller and easier to carry. At my first job 20 years ago, they had backpacks that included the O2 tank, and it was a *bear* to carry around. Having a lighter backpack (or butt bag) and a separate O2 bag with handles is much more convenient and comfortable, IMO.

View attachment 5869
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I didn't think of that. Do you have any recomendations? for both bags?
 
How can any agency “make” you purchase safety equipment? Is this a “must have” or “nice to have”?
 
CCCSD said:
How can any agency “make” you purchase safety equipment? Is this a “must have” or “nice to have”?
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They supply us with the stuff to put in it, and we get the bag and "non-perishables", like a stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff, trauma shears, etc. And it is an option to get this, but is one that I will take once I get my EMT
 
AVoiceInADarkWorld said:
They supply us with the stuff to put in it, and we get the bag and "non-perishables", like a stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff, trauma shears, etc. And it is an option to get this, but is one that I will take once I get my EMT
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Okay, I've got some questions:

How much area does your agency cover and how many people are in it?

What is the average response time to get an ambulance on scene?

I know you haven't taken the class yet, but this question is for when you do: exactly what are you hoping to accomplish with that kit that you can't do with basic gloves, CPR mask and some bandages before the ambulance arrives?
 
AVoiceInADarkWorld said:
They supply us with the stuff to put in it, and we get the bag and "non-perishables", like a stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff, trauma shears, etc. And it is an option to get this, but is one that I will take once I get my EMT
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Ok.

You don’t need all that. Bleeding control, lots of it, and a huge box of humility.
 
As said before, I am looking for advice for a backpack to put the stuff in. I’m not looking for other advice or I would’ve asked for it. Just because I’m not an EMT yet doesn’t mean that I don’t know what I’m talking about. Please stop giving me advice that I didn’t ask for. I want a backpack to put the stuff in or as another person recommended on this thread a separate bag for the oxygen tank. If you don’t have a recommendation, please don’t reply.
 
AVoiceInADarkWorld said:
As said before, I am looking for advice for a backpack to put the stuff in. I’m not looking for other advice or I would’ve asked for it. Just because I’m not an EMT yet doesn’t mean that I don’t know what I’m talking about. Please stop giving me advice that I didn’t ask for. I want a backpack to put the stuff in or as another person recommended on this thread a separate bag for the oxygen tank. If you don’t have a recommendation, please don’t reply.
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You don't get to determine the answers you get. You may know what you're talking about, but your missing an even more important point...you don't know what you don't know yet. Class will help with that somewhat, but experience is an even better teacher. Here's a small example of what you don't know: EMT Basic is glorified first aid that can legally transport patients in an ambulance. Very little of what you do at that level is different than what a person with a first aid card can do. You just have more documentation and liability. I strongly suggest you complete the class first, and then get at least a few months of patient care under your belt first before you start planning a personal jump kit.
 
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