Hands On March 2011

AvonProtection NH15 EscapeHood

Most ambulances lack SCBA that would allow their crews to escape from toxic atmospheres. With increasing terrorism awareness, EMS should now be prepared to save itself and evacuate an area in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) event. The new NH15 Escape Hood from Avon Protection is a CBRN escape hood that’s certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It provides respiratory, eye and face protection for up to 15 minutes, which allows sufficient time to evacuate most contaminated areas. Use of the hood requires minimal training. And it deploys in approximately 30 seconds, thanks to the innovative self-adjusting harness system.
VITALS
NIOSH approval: TC-14G-0302
Shelf life: Five years
Price: $189
www.avon-protection.com
888/AVON-440

FoxFury Nomad 3600 LED Area/Spot Light

EMS calls happen in the darndest locations. So how do you light the scene of the backwoods plane crash or any remote scene during an extended power failure? The Nomad 3600 LED Area/Spot Light from FoxFury is lightweight enough to be carried to the most remote locations and can be deployed in 20 seconds. First, you unlock and lower the legs of its tripod. Then extend the light and set the intensity level to 1,200, 2,400 or 3,600 lumens, which will then provide you with run times of nine, six and two-and-a-half hours, respectively, without generators, cords, noise or fumes.
VITALS
Weight: 17 lbs.
Dimensions (closed): 33" long, 4.6" in diameter
Max height: 94"
Price: $1,199.99
www.foxfury.com
760/945-4231

Laffy Laffalot

Sick kids often have a hard time finding something to laugh about, but laughter is contagious. Now children and health-care providers alike can benefit from preprogrammed laughter with Laffy Laffalot. The device features 20 preprogrammed, high-quality MP3 laugh sounds that range from babies giggling to a classroom full of raucous kids. You can also increase the pitch of the laughter to add a “helium” effect. Parents or friends can record up to four additional sounds for playback. And for your peace of mind, headphones are included. This novel device helps you stop the tears and bring on the smiles.
VITALS
Color: Orange
Power: 2 AA batteries
Laughs: 20
Price: $19.99
www.laffylaffalot.com
888/995-2339

Laerdal SimMan Essential

Wireless Manikin Improves Realism Simulation has always been a part of EMS. Not many people would volunteer to break a leg to practice splinting, so we must simulate. But as technology has progressed, so has the fidelity of manikins. The new SimMan Essential from Laerdal takes the most widely used features of SimMan 3G and presents them in a more affordable package. A 12" tablet PC is used to operate SimMan Essential wirelessly, so you don't need to be connected to the manikin. This allows scenarios to take place in the field and continue through the hospital emergency department to the operating room or intensive care unit. Another feature is a webcam, which enables you to review the participants’ actions during a debriefing. Other key components include blinking eyes, manually changeable pupils, an IV arm (right arm), intraosseous access sites (tibia and sternum), multiple pulse points (carotid, femoral, radial, dorsalis pedis, posterior tibialis pulses and brachialis) synchronized with ECG, pulse strength variable with BP and the ability for an instructor to wirelessly simulate the patient’s voice and the ability to insert a Foley catheter.
VITALS
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 88 lbs.
Price: $39,000
www.laerdal.com
877/LAERDAL

LMA North America The LMA Supreme Plus

Because the difficult airway has a high potential for poor patient outcome and expose crews to legal liability, the better the options, the greater the likelihood for a good outcome. The LMA Supreme Plus from LMA North America offers a number of features that will be of interest to EMS providers. The addition of a drainage port to allow for suction of gastric contents will reduce the chances of aspiration and pneumonia. The elliptical shape and integrated bite block facilitate proper placement and prevent kinking. There’s also a fixation tab to help maintain proper tube depth.
VITALS
Sizes: 3, 4 and 5
Price: $30
www.lmana.com
800/788-7999

Tech Trade ProTech8X Rescue Glove

Wearing structural firefighting gloves during extrication scenarios provides a high degree of protection, but it can lead to hand fatigue if the extrication is long and you’re working in a bulky glove. The new Pro-Tech 8X Rescue Glove from Tech Trade provides dexterity, comfort and protection without the bulk of a structural firefighting glove. Its features include a waterproof, suede or leather palm; waterproof, nylon back; 100% Kevlar lining; and a unique, multi-layered knuckle-guard system. The non-slip cut resists silicon reinforcements. The glove also has a breathable polymer barrier to protect against bloodborne pathogens and moisture.
VITALS
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Color: Black
Price: $35
www.techtradellc.com
866/491-TECH

TK3 WANTYNU

Although men and women often battle over who’s the better multi-tasker, EMS providers win the war because we get the critically ill patient down three flights of steps while keeping them on oxygen, an ECG monitor and bringing their medications, glasses, teeth and slippers. No problem. So it's no wonder we love tools that multi task. The new TK3 from WANTYNU is one of those because it’s multi-functional. It features a key chain that can break windows and open oxygen bottles on duty—and beverage bottles when off duty—which can be a lifesaver. Because of hardened steel in the window punch, the TK3 is not MRI safe. But it does come in a variety of colors to coordinate with any wardrobe.
VITALS
Colors: Black, blue, red, yellow, hot pink and chrome
Length: 3 3/8"
Weight: 1 oz.
Price: $12.99
www.wantynu.com

Book Review

Cowboy in the City By Lisa Carney Lisa Carney has captured and expressed, quite sincerely, what it’s like to have a career in EMS. Once I started to read her novel, it was as if I were sitting in the ambulance right along side of her—and what a ride! It’s refreshing to read a novel about EMS that has no boundaries. I feel Carney has validated all the hard-working folks who chose a career in EMS. Being a career paramedic for the past 20 years, I was able to relate to all those simple and complex issues that EMS providers share from coast to coast. The author has a great sense of humor, which was evidenced by the hilarious antics she described between her and her co-workers. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style as well. It’s raw and gets to the core of every emotion. She has a keen sense of how to captivate her readers. I was completely entertained from page to page. I can only believe that the civilian who reads Cowboy in the City will come out with a much deeper understanding of EMS and show more respect to all who serve tirelessly in this profession. And, as the author hopes for, they’ll pull over to the right when they see the flashing red lights in their rear view mirrors. If you asked the typical provider to describe what it’s like to work in the EMS field, this book is exactly what I’d imagine most people would say. So I’m glad the author took the time to write down her experiences—and you will be too. JEMS —Nicolette DeFrank