The Kit

So what do we carry ?  -  We now use a Compact Parabag Holdall, with seperate Oxygen and Entonox bags. (Green for oxygen, blue for entonox). Most of our equipment is supplied by SP Services Ltd.

The Compact Parabag, with separate  shoulder bags for oxygen (green) and Entonox (blue). See below.

The current kit in the rear of one of our vehicles.

Inside the Compact Parabag.

Inside the bag. Airways (OPA's) and shears/scissors in the lid, AED Heartstart with 2 packs of "one use" electrode pads, which attach to the patient's chest. Electronic Wrist Blood Pressure Meter, Pulse Oxymeter,  ("Sats" digi meter, which tells us the patients blood oxygen level, and gives an indication of their pulse rate and strength) gloves, torch, dressings, phone charger all in the inside partitions. Windscreen visor signs, reflective vests in front pocket. Various dressings, including burn dressings, sterile wipes and manual suction pump in side pockets. A plastic folder sits in the top of the bag, containing road maps (with house numbers) and NE Ambulance Patient Report Forms. (The Pink copy goes with the patient, and is passed to the ambulance crew, and the white top copy is collated and forwarded to Ambulance HQ.)

The Digital O₂ Saturation/Pulse Meter.

The side pocket contains a child's oxygen mask, and a sterile wipe dispenser. While we will always clean a wound and control any bleeding, we normally tend to "loose" dress the wound, so that it can be examined and assessed easily by the paramedics, on their arrival, without the need to unwrap dressings. This also avoids unnecessary distress to the patient.

We  carry "hypervent" bags,  standard resuscitation face masks, headlamp and torches, and a manual suction pump for clearing obstructions from a patient's airway. It should be noted that skin to skin contact while carrying out resuscitation procedures (mouth to mouth), is strictly to be avoided (with the possible exception of a baby), and appropriate masks must be used. This is a North East Ambulance Service training directive.

The type of calls to which our Team are being deployed has changed dramatically, and we now find ourselves attending road accidents, fall injuries, trauma related incidents, as well as possible cardiac incidents - chest pains, breathing difficulty, etc. Only those with extended training, (First Person On Scene/Basic Trauma Life Support) can respond to call involving children or the more complex "Trauma" calls, which lesser trained members must decline. Extended trained members are trained to administer Entonox, the pain killing gas and air, we have now decided now to carry it.

In the front pocket, are reflective coats, and the vehicle UNIVISOR signs (they clip onto the vehicle sunvisor), one reflective and one illuminated. Both can be folded out of sight when not on a call-out. Most members also have personal issue vehicle magnetic door panel signs for the vehicle doors and bonnet/boot.

The Oxygen Regulator and "One Use" Disposable Face Mask in the background. We have to rent our own oxygen cylinders, but we can normally obtain refills from the local ambulance stations.

Finally, the entonox regulator and delivery mask. We also carry a suction tube in place of the mask. Entonox, known as gas and air, is an analgaesic (pain relief) gas, commonly used by woman in labour. It can also be used to relieve pain in other situations, e.g. broken or dislocated limbs. IT MUST NEVER BE GIVEN TO A PATIENT WHO HAS A HEAD INJURY OR A DIVER WHO MAY HAVE THE BENDS, AS IT CAN MASK CRITICAL SYMPTOMS.

Entonox hardware supplied by Therapy Equipment Ltd

Call Out procedure

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