Airway & Breathing
This handheld device with a one-way valve allows you to ventilate a patient manually.
What is a bag-valve mask (BVM)?
This adhesive device is applied over an open chest wound to prevent air from entering the pleural space, helping to manage a sucking chest wound.
What is a chest seal?
This large sterile dressing is used to cover exposed abdominal organs.
What is an trauma dressing?
This manual device with a cuff and bulb measures blood pressure.
What is a sphygmomanometer?
This device analyzes heart rhythm and advises a shock if needed.
What is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?
This oxygen delivery device includes a reservoir bag and can deliver up to 95–100% oxygen.
What is a non-rebreather mask (NRB)?
This impregnated gauze promotes rapid clotting in severe bleeding.
What is hemostatic gauze (QuikClot)?
This device is specifically used for mid-shaft femur fractures.
What is a traction splint?
This portable device measures oxygen saturation using a probe placed on a finger.
What is a pulse oximeter?
This cutting tool, found on every ambulance, allows you to quickly remove clothing, seat belts, or other obstructions from a patient without causing additional injury.
What are trauma shears?
This soft rubber airway adjunct is measured from the nose to the earlobe.
What is a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?
Used for minor bleeding and wound coverage. Comes in various sizes.
What are gauze pads?
A rigid or moldable device used to immobilize a suspected fracture.
Splint (Splint Board, SAM, Cardboard)
This small, handheld device is used to assess a patient’s pupil size and reaction to light as part of a neurological exam.
What is a penlight?
This portable device clears blood or vomit from the airway.
What is a portable suction unit?
This rigid curved airway device is used on unconscious patients without a gag reflex.
What is an oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?
This stretchy bandage is commonly used to secure dressings and apply compression.
What is a roller gauze (Kling)
This rigid foam device is applied to limit cervical spine movement.
What is a cervical collar (C-collar)?
This instrument is used to listen to lung sounds and blood pressure.
What is a stethoscope?
This self-injecting medication device is used to treat anaphylaxis.
What is an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen)?
You respond to a 67-year-old female with severe shortness of breath. She is tri-poding, speaking in 1–2 word sentences, respiratory is labored. Lung sounds reveal diffuse crackles. She is alert but tiring.
You recognize impending respiratory failure secondary to suspected acute pulmonary edema and need to provide ventilatory support that reduces preload and improves oxygenation without immediately taking over respirations.
This device from your airway equipment is indicated.
What is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure CPAP device?
You respond to a 72-year-old male who slipped on a wet floor at home. He has a large, jagged laceration to his upper thigh that is spurting bright red blood with each heartbeat. He is pale, diaphoretic, and anxious, trying to hold pressure on the wound himself. Bleeding persists despite direct pressure with standard gauze.
You recognize this as life-threatening arterial hemorrhage that requires rapid control before the patient goes into shock.
This device from your trauma bag is indicated.
What is a tourniquet?
You respond to a 38-year-old male who fell approximately 15 feet from scaffolding at a construction site. He is alert but in severe pain, complaining of back and pelvic pain. His legs are unstable, with bruising and swelling to both thighs. He is pale, diaphoretic, and tachycardic.
On assessment, you note pelvic instability and suspected internal hemorrhage. Moving him without proper support could worsen bleeding and spinal injury.
This device from your ambulance is indicated.
What is a pelvic binder?
You respond to a 55-year-old male who is complaining of nausea, fever, and shortness of breath. He is alert, speaking in full sentences, and states he is "burning up".
As you approach to begin assessment, you notice he is coughing frequently.
This first piece of equipment from your ambulance is indicated.
What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?
You respond to a 29-year-old female with a history of asthma who is short of breath after running to catch a bus. She is sitting upright, speaking in 2–3 word sentences, and using accessory muscles to breathe.
On assessment, you hear wheezing throughout all lung fields. She reports she used her rescue inhaler 15 minutes ago with minimal relief.
You recognize bronchospasm with hypoxemia and need to provide rapid, effective inhaled medication to open her airways.
This device from your ambulance is indicated.
What is a nebulizer?