If I may start with a sweeping generalization, we EMS folk maintain an odd and somewhat dysfunctional relationship with our gear. We love our gear, but we hate it. We chastise others for carrying to much stuff. We chastise ourselves for not carrying enough. Or just not carrying the thing that we could really use right now. (Read vomit bag, seat beltcutter, flashlight.)
There’s a commonly held belief that the longer you’re in EMS the less stuff on you tend to carry around with you. this observation is sometimes extended to paid vs. volunteer personnel as well. I’m not so sure that’s true. There are, however, clearly different styles.
Lately I got to thinking about what kind of stuff the typical EMT responder carries around with him / her. What is considered kosher and what’s excessive? Are there things we can all agree should be in your pocket or on your belt. Are there any equipment gems that I might be overlooking?
To that end I asked a whole bunch of EMS responders from around the Internet and around my system to tell me what they were carrying in their pockets. After editing out some of the more obvious or personal findings (Wallet, keys, Britney Spears fan club cards) here are my not-so-scientific results. Ask your doctor first, results may vary. Here’s what the folks who know are carrying with them.
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By now, you’ve most likely heard the reports of a possible swine flu pandemic and maybe you’ve even fielded a few questions from concerned friends and neighbors. As always, The EMT Spot aims to keep you updated on what you need to know to do your job safely.
The latest strain of swine flu is an influenza type A virus. (H1N1) These viruses emerge from 
the shared pool of influenza viruses that occasionally transfer from birds (avian flu), to humans (common flu), to pigs (swine flu). Each time we trade these viruses back and forth between humans and animals, the viruses have an opportunity to mutate. The new strains may be more contagious than the last and may respond differently to antivirals. (But not necessarily.) Currenty the CDC is recomending Oseltamivir and Zanamivir for this strain of virus.
As of today the virus has killed 68 people in Mexico and sickened over one thousand more. Now the illness has jumped the boarder and appears to be spreading fairly rapidly across the U.S. At the time of this writing 20 cases have been confirmed by the CDC within the U.S. starting in California and moving to Texas. The list of confirmed cases now includes New York, Kansas and Ohio.
What to look for in your patients
Swine flu presents like a common respiratory influenza. Patients will present with common flu symptoms that can vary significantly in severity from one person to the next. Look for productive or dry cough, fever, chills, body aches, sore throat and fatigue. There have been some reports of GI symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
Swine flu may precipitate significant respiratory distress, especially in patients with underlying respiratory conditions or those with compromised immune systems like HIV patients and patients receiving chemotherapy.
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