Hush

New EMT-B, been with a private company for the last 7 months or so. Mostly tx's, but we have contracts with facilities that often call us when they should call 911. Lots of nighttime calls for falls, fevers, NVD, and psychs. In the beginning I got labeled "flashlight guy" for having a small surefire on me, but the same medics that gave me the name are the ones who always ask..."hey, let me borrorow your light for a sec." Picked up and took off gear as needed for the first few weeks or so, untill I got down a managable amount with out seeming too whackerish. Some of the unconventional items I carry I chose because of a problem I encountered and I dont want to be without something I need twice. Ill list whats in my pockets with a little explanition of why, or why that particular item. Shirt: Notepad-for taking call info. In the back, I list door codes for various hospitals and facilities. Pen- Zebra F-701. Stainless Steel, $7, clicky pen. Nice heft, can soak with sanitizer if it gets gross, costs enough I dont lose it, but not so much if I do Ill miss it too much. Belt: Glove Pouch (holds 2 prs, always having to give a pair to my partner) Surefire Aviator. Good for dark rooms, injury inspection. Has a bright white light, and a low output red light, good for using in the cab at night so as not to blind the driver. Pants: Folding knife (Spyderco or SOG) Right cargo pocket: Littmann Classic II, penlight, sharpie (The stainless steel one for no other reason than its awesome) Shears. Firefighter Shove Knife. Think mini Slim-Jim, $5 on Ebay. On the occasions when we do get emergency calls and are stuck outside waiting for some lazy Haitian CNA to waddle down the hallway and let us in, its nice to be able to pop most doors we encounter. Its also nice to be able to open the supply closet at the base where they keep the pens, that I hand out to nurses to curry favor. Left Cargo: Small bottle hand sanitizer, these are often found in the patient gift baskets at hospitals. Extra gloves. Door Wedge. I get a lot of crap for this, but it has come in handy many times. Use it to prop open locked doors when we have to go in and out of a facility, when are short hands to hold a door open for a stretcher, and to wedge under the gas nozzle when pumping gas in the cold. Homemade, wedge with a hook on it. Back Pocket: Leather gloves for outdoor work, cold, and combative patients. O2 Wrench. Add to that the usual cell phone, wallet, etc, and Im still not to weighed down. The stuff I didnt need I jettisoned, this is the stuff Ive stuck with and get use out of almost daily.