There Goes An Ambulance! 🚑 by

Common BLS Supplies/Equipment

mcalderon1423 — 2024-02-03 20:30:36 UTC

There are many supplies an ambulance may have but when it comes to BLS supplies I believe that these supplies would be found in almost every ambulance.

AED (Automated External Defibrillator): An AED is use to help patients who are experiencing cardiac arrest by delivering electric shocks to the human body to hopefully restart their heart sorta like a jumpstarting a car batter.

Oxygen Tank: Oxygen is needed when a patient is experiencing hypoxia. Hypoxia is a fancy way of saying your body is low on oxygen which can negatively impact your organs and tissues and can even be life threatening.

Epinephrine: Epinephrine also know as adrenaline is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that comes from the adrenal glands and has many functions. For EMS providers epinephrine is most commonly used for anaphylaxis but can also be used for cardiac arrest and symptomatic bradycardia. Epinephrine works as an agonist for B1, B2, and A1 receptors which basically means it causes your veins to contract (A1), increases the strength of your heartbeats (B1), and causes your lungs to dilate (B2).

Sterile Gauze Pads: Gauze pads are used to clean minor cuts and burns.

Pulse Oximetry Device: A pulse oximetry device is an electrical device that measures the amount of oxygen in your red blood cells.

Common BLS Supplies/Equipment Continued

mcalderon1423 — 2024-02-03 20:30:49 UTC

Narcan: This medication is used to help reverse the effects of opioid overdoses and is also called naloxone.

Activated Charcoal: This medication is also used on overdosing but not for opioids as it’s supposed to be used to absorb the substances in your stomach to help prevent poisoning.

Oral Glucose: As the name implies oral glucose is basically just sugar taken orally. It’s used if you have low blood sugar and can be substituted for a glass of orange juice instead (or any sugary drink) if you don’t have any.

Infection Control Kits: Consists of goggles, masks, and waterproof gowns.

Wet Wipes: Are used to help clean the ambulance and yourself if things get a little bit messier than anticipated.

Common BLS Supplies/Equipment Continued

mcalderon1423 — 2024-02-03 20:31:10 UTC

Sharps Container: Are red in color and come in many different sizes they are used to dispose of sharps like needles to prevent accidental pricking/stabbing.

Portable Radio or Cell Phone: Although we carry our phones with us everywhere most ambulances should have a backup on hand just incase.

Sterile Gloves: Should be worn when mixing IV medications but in all honesty you’re going to want to wear them for everything since EMS is a dirty profession at times.

Cervical Collars: These collars are used to help immobilized a patient neck to prevent further neck/spinal injury.

Disposable Drinking Cups: Can be used to help patients swallow their medications by giving them a cup with water that you can easily dispose of right after.

Common BLS Supplies/Equipment Continued

mcalderon1423 — 2024-02-03 20:31:23 UTC

Aspirin: This med falls under the analgesics category and is a COX1 and COX2 inhibitor. Although aspirin is used for pain and fever relief it is most commonly used by EMS providers for its anticoagulant capabilities to help prevent heart attacks.

Albuterol&Ipratropium: Also referred to as DuoNed this medication helps dilate the bronchioles for the lungs as it is a B2 agonist.

Plastic Bags: Most commonly used to help keep the ambulance clean.

Blankets: Can be used to help patients suffering from hypothermia or who just might be a little cold.

Stethoscope: Is used to hear the internal sounds of the body like the heart or the lungs for example.