--- title: The Worst Thing to Leave out of Your Trauma Bag description: "What you put in your trauma bag depends on several factors. But there’s one item you may not have considered adding to your bag: a portable suction unit." image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-519790454-1.jpg --- [![dark-header.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hub/212347/file-1107077240.jpg?width=940&name=file-1107077240.jpg "dark-header.jpg")](https://www.sscor.com/) ## **Thank you for visiting the SSCOR Blog.** Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products. Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession. Subscribe. Share your thoughts. Enjoy. -SSCOR Team   # [The Worst Thing to Leave out of Your Trauma Bag](https://blog.sscor.com/the-worst-thing-to-leave-out-of-your-trauma-bag) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) Feb 15, 2017 4:30:00 AM 2 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/the-worst-thing-to-leave-out-of-your-trauma-bag#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/the-worst-thing-to-leave-out-of-your-trauma-bag#) 0 ![The Worst Thing to Leave out of Your Trauma Bag](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-519790454-1.jpg?width=700&name=rsz_gettyimages-519790454-1.jpg "The Worst Thing to Leave out of Your Trauma Bag") As a paramedic, you know how important a well-provisioned [trauma bag](https://blog.sscor.com/the-ultimate-trauma-bag-contents-checklist-for-all-seasons) can be. A fully stocked trauma bag enables you to begin treatment immediately, no matter the illness or injury. Bleeding can be controlled with trauma dressings and tourniquets, CPR can be initiated with a bag-valve device, and pneumothoraces can be decompressed with a kit or a well-placed catheter. A good trauma bag is essential. What you put in your trauma bag depends on several factors. State and local policies, along with departmental guidelines, may dictate your bag’s contents but should be based on the type of system within which you work. A rural service with limited personnel would benefit from more inclusive trauma bags so that lifesaving equipment is right at hand. If you work in rugged terrain, weight may play a factor when planning your bag. Each department must stock its trauma bags based on its particular needs. But there’s one item you may not have considered adding to your bag: a portable suction unit.   [Portable suction units](https://www.sscor.com/EMS_suction_products.html) have come a long way. No longer are they the clunky, heavy contraptions of the past. Today’s units are lightweight, efficient, and powerful, enabling responders to provide lifesaving interventions to those in respiratory distress.   And now there are even units [small enough](https://www.sscor.com/quickdraw_handheld_suction_OPTIONS.html) to fit in a trauma bag. Think of the benefits of having a [portable suction unit](https://blog.sscor.com/the-one-tool-everyone-in-the-paramedic-field-should-be-using) in your trauma bag. Now when you approach that bleeding trauma patient or begin working that code, you’ll have at your disposal a suction unit that can clear the airway of either patient. No more running back to the truck or trying in vain to visualize the cords. For patients with oral secretions, be they blood, vomit, or sputum, nothing can take the place of effective suctioning. And for rescuers who cover open terrain, such as trails and slopes, having a suction unit tucked into your trauma bag can save you from toting a larger unit along with all your other gear. Every pound counts when you’re forced to hike to your patient. So, when you’re putting together your trauma bag wish list, be sure to include a portable suction unit. Considering the critical [role](https://blog.sscor.com/suction-when-transporting-patients-with-airway-trauma) it plays in clearing tenuous airways, a suction unit is the worst thing to exclude from your bag. Click [here](https://info.sscor.com/determining-the-contents-of-your-first-in-bag-checklist-blog?__hssc=34956030.7.1484072455824&__hstc=34956030.c4b81d7dc1fdd0a48f11aeb17cf42cd8.1439461061111.1484065204170.1484072455824.65&__hsfp=299807081&hsCtaTracking=03d28100-2a96-4c68-93d1-3e06a3b91cad%7C8829680c-469a-4026-aa62-87dc879fbebf) to download our free guide, Determining the Contents of Your First-In Bag.   Topics: [Emergency Preparedness](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-preparedness) ![Author Photo](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS2-648378-edited.jpg?width=70&name=SDS2-648378-edited.jpg) ## AboutSam D. Say Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions. Search #### Most Popular Articles ### Post by Topic - [Medical Suction (103)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-suction) - [Airway management (102)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/airway-management) - [Emergency Preparedness (92)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-preparedness) - [Emergency medical suction (73)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-medical-suction) - [Portable suction for hospitals (34)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/portable-suction-for-hospitals) - [EMS suction (27)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/ems-suction) - [Handheld portable suction (26)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/handheld-portable-suction) - [Suction for EMS professionals (24)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/suction-for-ems-professionals) - [Respiratory (19)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/respiratory) - [medical scenarios (17)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-scenarios) - [portable suction (16)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/portable-suction) - [Battery-powered suction (15)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/battery-powered-suction) - [EMS Professionals (15)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/ems-professionals) - [airway obstruction (15)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/airway-obstruction) - [Hospital disaster preparation (14)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/hospital-disaster-preparation) - [respiratory assessment (13)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/respiratory-assessment) - [Intubation (10)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/intubation) - [Pediatric Suction (10)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/pediatric-suction) - [Medical Suction for Dental (9)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-suction-for-dental) - [Tactical trauma kit (7)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/tactical-trauma-kit) - [Crash Cart Supplies (6)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/crash-cart-supplies) - [Trauma (6)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/trauma) - [emt scenarios (6)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emt-scenarios) - [Diseases & Infections (5)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/diseases-infections) - [aspiration pneumonia (5)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/aspiration-pneumonia) - [Aspiration (4)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/aspiration) - [Patient Transport (4)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/patient-transport) - [ambulance safety (4)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/ambulance-safety) - [Anaphylaxis (3)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/anaphylaxis) - [Suction Catheter (3)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/suction-catheter) - [nasotracheal intubation (3)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/nasotracheal-intubation) - [CDC (2)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/cdc) - [Medical Suction for Drowning (2)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-suction-for-drowning) - [Tactical medical bag (1)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/tactical-medical-bag) - [medical devices (1)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-devices) - [rapid sequence intubation (1)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/rapid-sequence-intubation) [see all](https://blog.sscor.com/the-worst-thing-to-leave-out-of-your-trauma-bag#) [![subscribe_to_sscor_blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/1209b5e9-2bd5-461c-9673-0f13ab98cab8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/1209b5e9-2bd5-461c-9673-0f13ab98cab8) [![Aspirator_test_kit_sscor_suction](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/09b997f8-6c33-450c-9e98-6ea0f907f383.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/09b997f8-6c33-450c-9e98-6ea0f907f383) [![determining_contents_of_first_in_bag_guide_for_paramedics](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/03d28100-2a96-4c68-93d1-3e06a3b91cad.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/03d28100-2a96-4c68-93d1-3e06a3b91cad) - [![DUET-B-Front-370px](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DUET-B-Front-370px.png "DUET-B-Front-370px")](https://www.sscor.com/duet_suction_unit_retention_bracket_portable_aspirator) - [![Duet Bracket Back with bracket](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DUETBB-back-370px.png "Duet Bracket Back with bracket")](https://www.sscor.com/duet_suction_unit_retention_bracket_portable_aspirator) - [![S-SCORT III Front](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/S-SCORT3-front-370px.png "S-SCORT III Front")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_iii_suction_unit) - [![S-SCORT-III3-control-panel](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/S-SCORT3-control-panel-370px.png "S-SCORT-III3-control-panel")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_iii_suction_unit) - [![VX2-B-font](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/VX2-B-font-370px.png "VX2-B-font")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_vx2_option_portable_ems_suction) - [![VX-2 Bracket Back with Bracket](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/VX2BB-Back-370px.png "VX-2 Bracket Back with Bracket")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_vx2_option_portable_ems_suction) - [![Quickdraw Front](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Quickdraw-370px.png "Quickdraw Front")](https://www.sscor.com/quickdraw_portable_suction_unit) - [![DCELL-front-angle](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DCELL-front-angle-370px.png "DCELL-front-angle")](https://www.sscor.com/dcell_suction_hospital_aspirator) - [![DCELL-back](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DCELL-back-370px.png "DCELL-back")](https://www.sscor.com/dcell_suction_hospital_aspirator) ### Follow us on social media: ## SSCOR Clearing The Airway Is Our #1 Priority **Company** [SSCOR Website](https://www.sscor.com/index.html) [About Us](https://www.sscor.com/who_are_we.html) [Contact Us](https://www.sscor.com/sales_support.html)   **Resources** [FAQ](https://www.sscor.com/Frequently-Asked-Questions.html) [Technical Support](https://www.sscor.com/technical-product-support.html) **Updates** [Upcoming Events](https://www.sscor.com/upcoming_events.html) *All data and information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. SSCOR, Inc. makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.* Images and content of this blog are © 2023 SSCOR, Inc. All rights reserved.