Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Necessity Of Triage Kits And Emergency Supplies

By Eric Holm


Triage is defined as the act of supplying support to individuals who may be sick or injured, but who cannot wait for qualified medical professionals. Doctors and nurses will be in short supply during a crisis, and everyday civilians may be called upon to care for others. This support will vary depending on the seriousness of the injury. During a disaster or a large scale accident, true medical professionals will be very busy and unable to attend to everyone who needs their services. This is where effective triage kits will come into play.

It's not enough to simply keep first aid items on hand. These supplies are actually of little use if an individual does not possess the knowledge needed to use them effectively. It is especially important for first responders to understand how to incorporate these items into the treatment process. Fireman, police, paramedics, and community volunteers should all understand the details of how each item comes into play. A kit of this nature will revolve around helping individuals who must receive treatment before a professional can give them care. Things like safety vests, stretchers, and colored or reflective tape will be basic items found in these kits. Many types of injuries tend to be very serious and even life threatening. When this is the case, body bags may be a necessity. Understand that they are designed for carrying corpses, however, they can be used to carry those with a very severe injury to a nearby medical center. A typical body bag will be about 90 inches long, and around 36 inches wide. They can also be folded and placed into a relatively small storage area.

Most of these triage kits will contain a book which offers pointers on establishing a quick and effective station for helping those with less severe injuries. An understanding of CPR is important, and additional first aid books can also be very beneficial. Portable stretchers are ideal for quickly moving individuals to a safer area, while solar blankets can be a great tool for providing a bit of shelter and warmth to those who need it. When a large scale disaster strikes, the appropriate supplies are often hard to come by. This is why everyday civilians should prepare for these circumstances by having the necessary supplies on hand.

Most of us feel panicked by thinking about the triage kits and their use. However, the situation may arise when you, your family or your neighbors seek immediate medical attention. You can offer that crucial help by setting up a triage unit and working together. By working together you'll be able to separate those who need professional help and those who you can help. Your triage kit or emergency kit during the crisis may meet the needs for a majority of those suffering.

All first responders and concerned civilian volunteers should be prepared at all times to provide basic care to those around them. Never ignore this information with the thought that a disaster or accident will never happen. At the very least, select one of many triage kits to keep in the home and even in the car. Even if its use never becomes necessary, it will still provide peace of mind.




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