The Ultimate Remote Medical Chest

[Reasonable Rascal]

Whoops! Not what you are thinking I am sure. You were expecting me to have everything all listed out for you, weren't you? Huh uh, not me.

What we are going to do here instead is develop it as we go. Everyone who wishes can play. The only caveats are these:

- You are limited to "placing" three items at a time in The Chest. If you wish to place more later, then do so. But give others a chance.

- You must stay within the grouping, i.e. trauma, orthopedic, medications, infectious disease isolation, etc.

- You must explain your rational for the items "placed" in the chest.

- Money to purchase the items is NOT a limiting factor. You have the money because for this exercise your name is Bill Warbucks. (with apologies to Big Daddy Warbucks of Little Orphan Annie fame) We are interested more in WHAT and WHY.

- Resupply and power ARE limiting factors. There is no regular resupply and the power grid is off-line until further notice or not available in the area you are operating in.

- You are not limited by weight or physical size of the item or items. Transportation to the site is not an issue.

With me so far? Let's hear it, post a response and if there is enough interest we'll begin with the first group.

RR

[asbestosman]

I would start with the airway basics. A good quality cpr mask for rescue beathing. 1 set of opa's and npa's 1 set ambubags in all sizes. reasoning if you can't breathe what good it stopping the bleeding.

[tangent]

think it would be better if weight and size were issues.

I'll start off with staying power:

1) lightweight, small, multi-fuel autoclave w/ spares, autoclave bags, surgical towels for when they run out and autoclave tape.
2) solar battery recharger with extra rechargable batteries and bulbs for all lights and instraments.
3) a tinkerers bag of hand tools, spare parts, etc. Including a binder for manuals on every piece of equipment you have and spares for each.

-t

[Reasonable Rascal]

Okay folks, for further clarification, we will address issues in groups. Later we can condense the groups into a master list, but by breaking it up I hope to avoid confusion and needless duplication as the lists may get every lengthy before we are through. Reading through 45 responses takes time just to see if someone else has already made the same suggestions you were going to.

Proposed groupings include, in no particular order:

1. Basic Assessment Tools

2. Nursing/Invalid Care

3. Orthopedic Care

4. Infectious Disease Isolation

5. Wound Management and Follow Up

6. Medications

7. Medical Chemicals

8. Basic Lab Tests

9. Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation

There will likely be additions later but for now plan on those. We don't want to get *too* specific or we'll lose track of the overall issues. Remember, no resupply in the foreseeable future (reusable items have value over disposables) and the only power you have is what you produce yourself. A 50 kilowatt water turbine just isn't practical for your location.

Think outside the box, think broadly, think remote.

RR

[Reasonable Rascal]

BTTT for those just joining us. In case they were wondering what all the various RMC threads were about. :D

RR