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I'm studying, also. Here's what was recommended to me... it gives detailed responses as well as scoring on various sections. www.emt-national-training.com I bought a couple of books but find that this site seems to encompass more and better information for less money. Good luck!

As the former Tri-anim Rep for SW Texas, I sold a LOT of the MedSource bags. I also used this particular bag as my demo bag for about 4 years, which was stuffed and carried into every account I visited and so did my husband, the Tri-anim SE Texas Rep. We used one for our trail ride first aid bag, and I have one of the MedSource coated canvas large trauma bags for my equine first aid kit. The guys that run the company guarantee the bags and if you ever have problems, you simply send in the broken one and they will fix or replace it at no cost to you, except maybe shipping. They usually just replace them. MedSource is a GREAT company with nice products at reasonable prices. (By the way, I NEVER had one come back in for repair) The 4 inches can really help when you are trying to stuff a couple of c-collars in the bag. The back outside pocket (the side you don't see in the picture) runs pretty much the full length of the bag, so works well for collars and flat-style head immobilizers. The front two pockets are great for glucometers and bandaging stuff like 4 x 4's, tape, ABD pads, etc. The dividers on the inside attach with velcro so you can change the dimensions of the compartments, or you can remove them all together. Besides, we all know that the bigger the bag, the more stuff we will jam into it... 4 more inches equals more stuff! I don't know much about LA Gear, although I had a couple of customers that had them and loved them, too. Good luck with your purchase! Oh, and for the record, I am not in sales anymore so I have no vested interest in what bag you choose, I am just very familiar with the MedSource one and really like them. Christine Springfield

Concerning myself, I have no issue with either male or female... I want the best at what they do, period. On the ambulance, there are times when accomodating privacy or gender preference is not going to affect the patient care process. If it can be done and the patient is more comfortable, great! If it's going to decrease the care we can provide, not good. On a side note, when I used to work for a private service, we had an area hospital that was popular with foreign sheiks. Whenever they called asking for an ambulance, they stipulated that the crew MUST be male. Their religious views impacted the decision. Granted, they were usually going from airport to hospital or vice versa, but what if they were involved in an emergency situation that required treatment by a female? I always wondered...

Just an FYI that I learned when I was selling the King LTS-D's back in 2008... when you are swapping for a tube, make sure your bougie has a "coude" tip (it will have a bend that looks like a hockey stick). The straight bougies have a tendency to catch on the inside of the "ramp" at the tracheal opening and it will make the insertion pretty difficult. Great to see that nearly everyone likes these devices! Makes me think my work was worthwhile... :-)

Spock, You CAN place a 6.0 through the new LTS-D... I have done it. Just wet or lube your tube and push it in. When you get your samples, try it out. Trust me, it'll work.

Just thought you might like to know about the new version of the King LT-D that's being released in September. It's the King LTS-D and includes a second lumen for suctioning. You can tube through it with a 6.0 ETT or use an ET Introducer to place the ETT. Details, pictures and specs are available at www.kingsystems.com. Concerning the cost, Tri-anim has them for about $35 in the EMS Kit.