What to bring with me on shift

[EMT2015]

Hi!! Well, I did it and I'm finally starting my first EMT job on the 14th. What should I bring with me on shifts? Laptop, books, ect. Is a backpack better or duffle bag? Thanks!

 

[Underoath87]

Depends on how your system works and how you are housed.
Shift length?
System status or do you have an actual station?

 

[EMT2015]

I most likely will be trying to work 10 or 12 hr shifts. We are usually posted out on the streets.

 

[Chimpie]

Check out these threads:

http://emtlife.com/threads/first-24-hour-shift-ever.21497/
http://emtlife.com/threads/first-24-hour-shift.40090/
http://emtlife.com/threads/everything-bag.26709/

 

[redundantbassist]

Really depends on the shift length, station or unit based, etc. After a week or so, you will have a good idea of what you need to bring to work. Usually, I bring a small backpack with spare clothes and uniforms, toiletries, snacks, and possibly a book as well. No laptop b/c our station has a pretty nice day room with computers and a flat screen tv, besides I usually like to do something productive on my spare time.

 

[EMT2015]

Not quite sure yet as to what my first shift length will be.

 

[Ewok Jerky]

Snacks, money, book, extra uniform, phone charger.

 

[chaz90]

I prefer a backpack to a duffel bag. Definitely recommend a spare uniform, healthy snacks (nuts are great), some kind of reading material, and your protocol book since you're new.

 

[Underoath87]

If you're going to be in the truck all day, just bring a backpack with a book and your lunch cooler in it. And a spare uniform if you can fit it (or just keep it in your car at the station).

 

[Gurby]

Get your phone set up so that you have the protocols accessible in PDF form on your phone.

Create contacts for important phone numbers, and add them to a group or your favorites in the phone. Anything work related in my phone, I have starred as a favorite and the name is something like "Amb MGH entry note", "Amb BWH MedCon", "Amb Dispatch", "Amb FieldSup", etc.

Figure out what hospitals are close to your coverage area, and figure out trauma point of entry. Where are the trauma centers near you? Where would you take a pedi trauma? This might not be super relevant to you as an EMT-B, but you very well could end up driving medics on calls like this so it will be good to have some sense of where you're going.

Bring something to take notes with on calls - either index cards, little flip notebooks, etc.

 

[nater]

I prefer a backpack as well. We work 12 hour shifts, it is not unusual to run over. I keep a spare uniform, some toiletries, a few snacks and a bottle of ibuprofen in my locker. In the backpack, I usually have a cheap spare stethoscope, a portfolio folder with training and re-cert records, review books, a tablet computer, phone charger, gum, pens, warm hat or baseball cap and my glasses if I get something in my contacts.

 

[Flying]

Extra socks. You may not get the opportunity to change them out the entire shift, but they change the rest of your shift should you get the chance.

 

[Mufasa556]

Phone charger! Must have a phone charger! Second to that is something to eat. I gained a bunch of weight eating Del Taco or those 711 hotdogs. Eat garbage then sit at post for 4 hours. Not healthy. I eventually started packing my own lunch.

I bring a spare uniform, but usually leave it in my car. Bring a jacket if you're one that gets cold or work with someone like me who runs the AC even when it's raining.

For a while I brought a little pocket notebook to write down addresses, hospital door codes, or other assorted info that I thought I should remember.

 

[EMT2015]

Thanks everyone for all the advice!!!