Equipment
Ambulance vehicles carry a wide range of specialised lifesaving equipment and drugs to assist paramedics in the treatment and management of patients. Not all patients become sick or injured in convenient locations so equipment and drugs are stocked both in the vehicle and in soft pack carry bags that can be taken to the patient.
An ambulance vehicle is an extension of the hospital emergency room and carries the following equipment and drugs:
Oxy-viva soft pack carry bag
A portable oxygen cylinder fitted with a ‘flow meter’ that allows officers to set the amount of oxygen flow to the patient. It also holds a selection of oxygen masks, blood pressure cuff, suction equipment and glucometer to measure a patient’s blood sugar level.
Drug box
A kit containing a large variety of drugs, fluids and special medical equipment which may be used in the treatment of unconscious patients, asthma, cardiac problems, pain, diabetes, and seizures.
Trauma kit
Contents include wound dressings, bandages, pads, ice packs, exposure blankets and cutting implements.
Defibrillator
A defibrillator detects when a patient’s heart is in a potentially life threatening rhythm. When required it can deliver an electric shock to attempt to start the heart if it has stopped beating.
Stretcher
Stretchers are used to move sick and injured patients to the ambulance. Patients remain on the stretcher for treatment and transportation. Stretchers are equipped with a full harness and lap sash belts for safe transportation of a patient in any position. The stretcher also has multi-height settings to allow for the easy loading of patients.
Carry chair
A small collapsible chair which enables paramedics to safely transport a patient down stairs or across areas unsuitable or inaccessible to a stretcher.
For patients who have suspected mobility injuries there is a variety of equipment to assist in their preparation for transportation such as cervical collars, splints and spine boards.
There are specialty kits for maternity, burns and disaster scenarios.
Oxygen cylinders, spare drugs and equipment and personal protection wear for paramedics are also located in the ambulance.
Ambulance vehicles carry a wide range of specialised lifesaving equipment and drugs to assist paramedics in the treatment and management of patients. Not all patients become sick or injured in convenient locations so equipment and drugs are stocked both in the vehicle and in soft pack carry bags that can be taken to the patient.