Paramedic equipment – what should it include?

The profession of paramedic is a responsible and difficult job, the correct execution of which depends not only on skill and composure, but also on the necessary equipment. A paramedic must be prepared for many, very different situations – from a passerby fainting on the street to traffic accidents – so the basic equipment also varies greatly .

However, what does it contain? Can paramedics administer medications? What does this work look like “from the inside”? All this you will learn from our article.

Clothing for paramedics

The juxtaposition opens with emergency clothing, or paramedic uniforms, which are strictly defined by regulations. According to the Decree of the Minister of Health, paramedics:

• “shall be marked by displaying on their uniforms a patch on the front left side and a print on the back, made of reflective material, with an inscription appropriate to their function.”
• “shall be marked by optionally displaying on the uniform, on the right sleeve, the logo or name of the unit dispatcher.”

What’s more, the regulation differentiates between summer and winter clothing and strictly defines the designs of the sweatshirt, T-shirt (polo or t-shirt type), pants, footwear and jacket. This allows them to be quickly and effectively identified, regardless of where they are on duty.

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Medical equipment

The equipment of a paramedic is the basic tools that are used to save lives. Such equipment allows for quick response and professional medical intervention in an emergency situation, and the list includes dozens of sub-items.

What’s on it? The most important items of rescue equipment are :

• Defibrillator – a device used in the case of sudden cardiac arrest; allows professional resuscitation of the victim,
• apparatus for measuring vital signs – thermometers, blood pressure monitors, stethoscopes and other equipment that allows you to assess the monitoring of the patient’s condition and vital functions,
• dressings and bandages – equipment that allows you to treat wounds on the spot, stop the blood and minimize the risk of infection,
• Medical scissors – specialized scissors that allow you to cut clothes (such as pant legs),
• stretchers and patient immobilization materials – stretchers are used for safe transport, while immobilization equipment (e.g., orthopedic collar, orthoses) allow limbs to be stabilized in cases of osteoarticular injuries,
• Disinfectants – antiseptic liquids that allow to maintain proper hygiene standards during medical assistance.

Much of a paramedic’s handy equipment is contained in medical bags and backpacks, which are designed to hold as much basic equipment as possible.

Drugs

Paramedics play a key role in providing immediate emergency medical care, including administering appropriate medications that may be necessary to stabilize and improve a patient’s condition. Their list is defined by law and currently includes 47 items, but is expected to be expanded to include more medications.

Every paramedic must be well trained and have up-to-date knowledge of the drugs to be administered, their dosages, side effects and possible interactions with other substances. The choice of the appropriate drug and dosage depends on the tests performed and the diagnosis of the patient at the scene.

Among the drugs on the list may be painkillers, anti-inflammatories, asthma medications, antihistamines, anti-seizure medications, etc. They can be administered orally, intramuscularly or even intravenously, depending on the type of condition and the patient’s condition.

Equipment of a paramedic: summary

The equipment of a paramedic is strictly regulated by law, and each unit must have the right amount of equipment in stock to perform its duties properly. The work of a paramedic is unpredictable, and each hour can bring new challenges, so the basic equipment is very diverse, allowing for effective intervention in any case.