--- title: What Every Emergency Medical Technician Should Include in a Well-Planned First-In Bag description: Every emergency medical technicians first-in bag should be transportable, yet stocked well enough to provide the tools you need to care for your patients. image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-519790454.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   # [What Every Emergency Medical Technician Should Include in a Well-Planned First-In Bag](https://blog.sscor.com/what-every-emergency-medical-technician-should-include-in-a-well-planned-first-in-bag) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) Jul 18, 2023 8:00:00 AM 3 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/what-every-emergency-medical-technician-should-include-in-a-well-planned-first-in-bag#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/what-every-emergency-medical-technician-should-include-in-a-well-planned-first-in-bag#) 0 ![What Every Emergency Medical Technician Should Include in a Well-Planned First-In Bag](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-519790454.jpg?width=667&name=rsz_gettyimages-519790454.jpg "What Every Emergency Medical Technician Should Include in a Well-Planned First-In Bag")   You only stepped out of the meeting for a minute just to grab another cup of coffee, but while you were out, your fellow firefighters voted that you be the one tasked with designing and stocking the new [first-in bags](https://info.sscor.com/determining-the-contents-of-your-first-in-bag-checklist) that will be carried on all the rescues of your department. How to begin?   The best approach is to start broad, then hone in on the particulars. So let’s begin with the bag itself.   ## **Bigger is not always better ** First-in bags come in all shapes and sizes, from a small, lightweight backpack to a cumbersome, multifaceted duffel bag. So begin by determining the size and style of bag that will best suit your agency. This will depend on several factors:   - **The size of your department:** In larger departments with plenty of personnel, your first-in bag can be more streamlined since you have plenty of hands available for toting equipment such as airway and pediatric bags.    - **Mutual response times of ALS agencies:** If ALS is responding from far out, you may want to include more specialized equipment, such as supraglottic airways or an OB kit, since you may experience extended on-scene times while awaiting transport.    - **Types of terrain you expect to encounter:** If you cover rugged terrain where patients are located off-road, you may want a larger, well-stocked first-in bag since you won’t have the ability to run back to the truck to retrieve equipment. But remember that the more equipment you add, the heavier the bag–something to think about when hiking to that downed mountain biker.   [![New: Determining the Contents of Your First-In Bag: What Every Paramedic Should Consider. Free Guide & Checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/bb7f2de5-6d9a-4d03-ab05-2f80845478d7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/bb7f2de5-6d9a-4d03-ab05-2f80845478d7)   ## **What to Include** Once you’ve selected the style and size of the bag, your next step is to stock it. This is fairly straightforward: you will need equipment that enables you to protect yourself (PPE), assess the patient, correct any life-threatening conditions, and initiate treatment. Let’s break these down:    ### **Personal Protection Equipment** - Gloves - Mask - Goggles - Gown - Hand sanitizer - Biohazard container - Sharps container   ### **Patient Assessment** - BP cuff and stethoscope - Thermometer - Penlight - EMS field guide - Glucometer   ### **Equipment to Correct Life-Threatening Conditions** **Respiratory** - Bag valve device/masks (adult and pediatric) - [Portable suction unit](https://www.sscor.com/quickdraw_handheld_suction_OPTIONS.html) - Assorted oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal airways - Magill forceps    **Trauma** - Assorted dressings - 4”x4” gauze - 2”x2” gauze - Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes) - Sterile multi-trauma dressings, large and small - Gauze rolls (assorted sizes) - Occlusive dressings - Triangular bandages with safety pins - Sterile burn sheets (2) - Adhesive tape (1”, 2”, 4”) - Arterial tourniquet - Sterile saline - Scissors - Cold packs    ### **Specialized Tools/Equipment** - Ring cutter - Topical hemostatic agent - OB kit - Infant bag valve mask - Hydrogen peroxide - Q-tips - Tweezers - Bite sticks - Rescue blanket - Hot packs   [![NEW: Free Guide and Checklist for Paramedics: Determing the Contents of Your First-In Bag](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/05cfbf34-0ff9-44ef-bafe-aa8c9d72d546.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/05cfbf34-0ff9-44ef-bafe-aa8c9d72d546)    Your first-in bag must meet your daily response needs. It should be small enough to be transportable yet stocked well enough to provide you with the tools you need to care for your patients.   If you are tasked with assembling a first-in bag for your agency, keep in mind that two brains are better than one: by forming a committee of your peers, you can pull from your combined knowledge and experience to determine the best choice for your trucks. And be sure to follow local protocols, guidelines, and state laws to ensure your rigs are in compliance.   *Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in July, 2016. It has been re-published with additional up to date content.*   [![determining_contents_of_first_in_bag_guide_for_paramedics](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/cd8b537d-8755-4812-9e33-91517397fcdd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/cd8b537d-8755-4812-9e33-91517397fcdd) 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/what-every-emergency-medical-technician-should-include-in-a-well-planned-first-in-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.