As a Former EMT-B, I can say that the disposable supplies are the biggest drain in terms of providing care. At the station i used to work at there is a giant multi door cabinet with disposable supplies. Not meds but everything else. We also resupply at the ER and pick up blackboard, straps and c-collars left behind.
If you plan to buy supplies like bandages, buy them in bulk. Great example is 4×4 gauze bandages. They usually come in trays of 50 packages. Both in sterile and unsterile trays. But both!
I like the idea of buying cotton sheets to cut up into rolls or squares. You can ensure sterile condition by heat or other means. Then wrap in paper and put in Ziploc bags.
In terms of what to get, first decide what level of care you will be able to provide. Advanced level of care is a lot more expensive and will run out faster. Basic level of care is easier to stock up on.
Then decide on how much to get. Using the 4x4s as an example:
Non-sterile 200 pack is $3.31 and sterile is $2.27 for a pack of 50.
I would get a mix of both with more Non-sterile being a higher proportion. So I would get 2000 Non-sterile and 500 sterile as an example.
It is better to have too much than not enough when it comes to medical supplies.
-
This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by
Spanish Camp. Reason: Spell checker crap
