The holiday season in the U.S. is upon us, and food, family, gifts, and much more bring us joy. Unfortunately, some unique challenges for emergency responders accompany these special days.

Respiratory emergencies among the elderly are common. As an emergency responder, especially if you work in warmer climes – such as Florida and Arizona – where many people go to retire, you will frequently be called upon to administer life-saving treatments for those in respiratory distress.

With the number of mass shootings across America increasing each year, there is a growing focus on integrated response, placing paramedics and EMTs side-by-side with law enforcement when called to scenes of violence. As tactical medical response evolves to meet these growing needs, so does our medical equipment. But the restrictions that go along with tactical scenarios—namely, take only what you can carry—mean that each piece of equipment must be fundamental to the mission. There is no room for excess. Let's explore five things to include in your tactical trauma kit.

Residents of a skilled nursing facility are significantly more likely than other people to go to the hospital. These hospital stays can be disruptive and frightening, especially for people with dementia. The right medical equipment can manage many minor medical conditions, preventing them from worsening and reducing the need to transport residents to the hospital.

Emergency preparedness is a critical aspect of the job for every medical professional, especially first responders. You’ll be working with people at some of the most difficult times of their lives, often in the wake of immense tragedy or a sudden disaster. Emergency preparedness should guide your work.

The call came in as a “child down.” No other information was available. As your unit races to the scene, you do a quick mental inventory of the equipment you may need: pedi bag, airway bag, spinal immobilization, trauma bag. As with any emergency, your pulse is racing, but when the call involves a child, there is always an added layer of stress. Is your equipment ready? Did you inventory the pedi bag this morning? Can you recall the drug dosages, in case the child is in full arrest? A million questions flash through your mind.

School is in session, and medical emergencies in school are common – 10% to 15% of students have special medical needs or a chronic health issue—yet many schools are unprepared to manage them. 

Because there are always many unknowns, preparing for a disaster is an enormous undertaking. For rural hospitals, this challenge is further amplified due to issues such as remote location, limited resources, and staffing shortages. Yet by actively preparing for the types of disasters that rural hospitals are most likely to face, such difficulties can be lessened.

In the field of EMS, maintenance is critical. Our trucks must be kept in good working order, our drugs must be up to date, and even our knowledge base must be tweaked regularly to ensure we keep up with new trends in the field and keep our skills sharp.

While it may seem like a minor consideration to some, EMS providers know that patient positioning plays a crucial role in the quality, safety and effectiveness of medical treatment. In fact, an article from the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) states that patient positioning is 90% of the airway management battle. Positioning lays the groundwork for the process of treatment and airway management, and providers should therefore continue to enhance their knowledge of different patient positions, and factors to consider when choosing the right position for airway management and respiratory treatments.