How NOT to keep your EMS gear

A few weekends back, I worked a motocross practice session. I was told there was gear out there for me, but since I have been burned once before, and discovered that there wasn't any gear when I got there, I brought some of our company's gear along. A trauma bag, a board, and my personal "fanny pack" (overstuffed, and is basically a small trauma bag sans oxygen).

When I got there, I was told that the gear was waiting for me. Well, it was. Here is what it looked like:

At first glance, it is dusty, but looks ok. Not a huge problem. I prefer clean gear, even when working in a dusty environment, but if the inside is clean and organized, I don't mind. However, when I opened the gear, it was a jaw dropper:


This stuff was FILTHY. As you can see on the outside of the blue trauma bag, that dirt isn't just a dust layer. IT IS CAKED ON. In the blue trauma bag, The OPAs were coated with dirt (Would you place a dirty device in someone's airway? I know I won't!), there were no NPAs, the scissors were also dirty, the white cloth tape was brown, the pocket mask was dirty, there was basic gear missing (such as 4x4s, plastic tape, saline for irrigation, triangular bandages, and other items). There were gloves in there, but they too were filthy. Some looked like they had been used. There was trash left in the bags (primarily 4x4 packaging). Some had spots of dried blood on it. I gloved up and picked most of the trash out. At this point, I realized that I didn't want to touch this bag, let alone use it on a patient. The spine board was ok, but the C-collar attached to it was really dirty (Bad place for it anyway). I decided to work out of my gear and closed it up after taking these shots with my cellphone.

The O2 bag was a little better. They had put splints in there (and apparently cut on to create a smaller splint out of a larger one), but most of the stuff was cleaner than the trauma bag. The BVMs needed to be replaced, as they had been in there for a long time, and looked like they were brittle from the heat (This is Sacramento, after all).

Keep in mind that this equipment is used by at least 2 EMTs that regularly work that venue. I was brought in on an emergency basic when neither was available. I mentioned the condition of the gear to several people. I told them that this was a danger to the patients that are being served, and that I refused to use it, as it could and most certainly would impact care, and was unprofessional.

I sure hope they clean this gear ASAP. Is it that hard to put a little pride in the gear provided to those who care for your patrons? Empty the bags and wash them. Its amazing how well these bags clean up. They may end up looking brand new again. In the meantime, I will be sure to make sure my gear is with me if I work out there again.