BP Cuff & Stethoscope

[TJ Carr]

My EMT class instructor said that she will be offering a BP cuff and Atethoscope along with CPR mask at a discount.

Now I was wondering what kind/style of BP cuff and Stethoscope I should get and what's the "normal" price for them:confused:

Is one brand better than any other, better built, or should I just get what they offer??

How about disposible CPR masks, any one "better" than another in quality or are they about the same?

See, I'm already starting to ask the questions :p

[Reasonable Rascal]

Stethoscope advice: you aren't a doc or a resp therapist (neither am I) so don't fall for the more $$$ is better bit. Sure the fancy dome-head scopes look cool and in experienced hands offer better sound discernment, but you have to know what you are trying to listen for, and even then it is outside the scope of the EMT, and even most Paramedics and nurses. Gallops and murmurs aren't treated in the field. Bruits are for the guys who make the big bux to worry about.

I suggest one of 2 avenues: either a Sprague-Rappaport type scope (dual tubes, block road noise much better) or a good single tube double head nurses scope. $15 is high for the former and $8 for the latter, so figure from there.

As far as a cuff get a pin-stop model. Marshall is an acceptable brand, as are anything ADC makes. Likewise they both make scopes as described. Cuffs and scopes get lost or swiped all the time, left in ER's on patient arms, set aside in the ditch, etc, etc. I have a Swedish Tri-Cuff I guard jealously, especially since they aren't imported any more. You won't see me loan it out as a result, even to the guy beside me.

For CPR masks CFT/Lifemask is hands down the best there is. Disposable, yes. Best bio-filter out there, use better quality materials than anyone else. I used to sell these a few years back. Cost about $8.50 and up depending on the bag, etc you choose for it. The glue won't let go if it sits in a hot glove compartment unlike some brands, it covers very well and fits well also, and they have a pair of gloves, antiseptic wipe and more in the pouch also. Their most basic model is about $3 for the shield/filter, and it's durable, no worries there.

MDI's Microshield is the most common brand, middle quality IMHO. They are overpriced for the quality but practically a household name, so they sell a lot.

Ambu makes the cheapest of the very small masks, barely more than SaranWrap. Also overpriced for the product, about $5-6 each for the ResqKey model.

Laerdal offers the cheapest of the cheap masks that still is recognizable. Wafer thin and offers as much protection. If that is what is offered hit the EMS supply stores for a good one. Otherwise they the reusable models.

So, for a reasonably priced higher end scope (refer back to my initial caveat) Omron makes the best for the money and they match Littman for quality. Their basic model goes for about $30, but the two mentioned above will suit you very well for less.

ADC makes the best lower cost cuffs, Marshall offers good quality for a reasonable price.

Lifemask makes the best CPR masks out there, bar none, for disposable use.

Before you ask, Germa makes the best splints in the world. You can contact them through SwedeRescue. The MDI license-made copies aren't near as good. :kool:

RR

[TJ Carr]

Wow, excellent info!!!!!!!!

I looked all over you're web pages and don't see any of these products. I take it you don't sell them??

Can you recomend someplace on line that has excellent customer servise, caries these products and a reasonable price??

Been looking at lots of site, but without knowing there reputation I'd rather not try my luck (would hate to go with a botach style company insted of a lightfighter style)

Not going to purchas anything till I see what our instructor has to offer, but if she is going with cheap gear or poor quality I want to have a back up plan ready.

[NurseMan]

Since I work critical care, I think it is important for me to be able to hear what is going on as soon as possible. Little acoustical changes can signal problems coming up. I agree that in the field, you probably don't need that as much as I do. I have 2 stethoscopes, both Littmans. One is a Master of Cardiology which was $150.00 and the other is a Cardiology II which was around 125.00 Littman makes lower end stethoscopes also, so you don't have to dish out that much dough. I started with a sprague-rapport, and personally I think the Littmans are a heck of a lot better scope in quality and acoustics, even the cheaper Littmans.

[Reasonable Rascal]

I do have both the cuffs and scopes I mentioned as far as the lower end brands, yes. CPR masks, however, I do not. Stocka varies but I do have scopes and cuffs right now.

A reputable company I have done a lot of business with over the years when I was an active service director is Alliance Medical of Russellville, MO. http://www.allmed.net

They are reasonable in their prices, often undercutting most of the competetition, provide very good service and offer a wide selection of products. Plus, virtually everyone there works on a service somewhere and can offer an opinion on various products.

RR

[Flotsam]

I use a Littman Cardiology IIse at work, and have a classic II for my first aid kit.

BP cuffs - the ADC models work fine for in the field. I have one in my first aid kit (also makes a dandy tourniquet).

My nice BP cuff is a Tycos model w/ Pedi, Adult, Adult Large cuffs - very well made.

I prefer the Littmans over the most of the others, although the Tycos models are pretty decent as well.

However, for most things you need to hear in the field, an inexpensive scope will work fine. One of the ER docs I worked with used a $10 cheapo scope - tells him heart is beating, lungs are working. The most important thing is to learn how to use it, learn what is "normal", etc... One advantage for the Littman scopes is that they often come w/ a student accessory kit - extra ear tips, diaphragms, name tag, and usually a CD of heart & lung sounds - excellent learning tool.

If you want to spend a little more money & get a nice scope for the field, I would opt for the a Littman classic - about $50, good quality, good sound.

Sam

[NurseMan]

Here's a link to 3M's web site. They are the makers of the Littman family of scopes. Click on the heart sounds icon and it will jump to a page where you can listen to different heart sounds. Pretty cool! Good for learning what everything is supposed to sound like.

http://www.3m.com/market/healthcare/littmann/home.html

Sorry, I can't link directly to the heart sounds site, you'll have to follow the icons.

[NurseMan]

Here's another one for different types of lung sounds.

http://www.rale.ca/Recordings.htm

[TJ Carr]

Kewl, thanks it will give me a chance to figgure out what I'm listing to as they all sound the same (great, now I've got to train my ears also):D :D

[TJ Carr]

Well, we were offered a Sprague-Rappaport style scope and a BP cuff for the grand total of $22.50 so i figgured why not and once my feet get wet I'll upgrade.

Guys on the department have a wide spectrom from the same one I'm getting to the Cardiology II so Ill be playing with them getting the feel for the style that works best for me.