(Part 3) Best professional medical supplies according to redditors

Mostly cost honestly, commercial electronic scales are expensive. A quick google puts them at $375 where the old style are only $175

And really, why would they ever buy a new one? How long as that doctors office existed? They probably bought the scale 20 years ago and haven't had to replace it yet. Also, the electronic ones are spring based, and can suffer somewhat from drift errors when their springs age. They need periodic calibration. The balance style is much less sensitive to this, their wear modes don't really screw with their calibration (that would only happen if you chipped the weights).

Littmann Master Cardiology Stethescope

Otterbox Symmetry Iphone 7 Case

Rike Knife 801GS Kwaiken Framelock

Travelambo Front Pocket Minimalist Leather Wallet

Generic CAT Tourniquet

Madison Supply Fluoride Coated Trauma Shears

Pelican PM3330 Flashlight

Airspoftpeak FLashlight Holder

Generic Penlight

Pilot G2 Pen

Generic Oxygen Tank Wrench

Generic Carabiner

ResQMe Window Punch

Generic CPR Mask

Part of a Ryan Blaney Lanyard

I'm not sure if you're trolling or not, but I'll help you out here. I'll even use amazon since it's quicker.

Swat-t https://www.amazon.com/SWAT-T-Tourniquet-Black-1-Count/dp/B003IWNOVO 11.49

Gauze: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JD4A5IA/?ref=idea_lv_dp_ov_d 11.49

Tape https://www.amazon.com/Durapore-Medical-Tape-Silk-yards/dp/B000C4O7GC/ref=zg_bs_8404663011_12?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=QH1JDQTVJ9DAAH595SNJ&th=1 3.28

Steristrips if you'd prefer (10 pack of 6 strips) https://www.amazon.com/3M-Steri-Strip-reinforced-Skin-Closures/dp/B004WFXCSQ?th=1 6.69

Chest seal- https://www.amazon.com/North-American-Rescue-Hyfin-Chest/dp/B00KQS2NGK?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_2 17.31

Nitrile gloves (100 pack and medium for my dainty hands) https://www.amazon.com/Nitrile-Exam-Gloves-Disposable-Convenient/dp/B00KE233NU/ref=zg_bs_15755331_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2YRD2VERY40B0EA2DPBM 9.98

​

Grand total 53.55 (60.24 if you want the steristrips plus this will leave you with extra for additional FAK's). Now if you wanted to get fancy and add in the combat gauze/quickclot, that's where you'll spend some change. TBH though a good pressure dressing (properly applied) is going to do pretty damn well for most people's uses.

Or get one of these. I find it very motivational.

Dental cotton off amazon works wonders. That's what cotton bacon is.

Cotton Rolls #2 Medium 1.5" Non-Sterile 100% High Absorbent Cotton Pack of 50 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017QSM8DA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_TFrIxb3MP84YT

Amazon currently has Littmann's on sale.

There are $5 off coupons for that one too, to make it even less expensive.

Letters of appreciation as another has mentioned is always a great idea. The job tends to be thankless and without a lot of information given after we resolve situations.

If you're set on an actual gift, everyone loves flashlights. They come in handy and get used constantly. Something like the Streamlight Stylus is great idea accompanied by a hand written letter would be great.

If you're buying a lot of them something like this might be a good idea
https://www.amazon.com/EverBrite-Penlight-Flashlight-Batteries-Included/dp/B01JZ9E2UU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543615605&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=streamlight+stylus&psc=1#

Amazon.

Do not get cheap ones.At the minimum get the Littman classic, or spend the extra money and go all out for a Cardiology, also made by Littman. While its "overkill" for nursing, the difference is noticeable.

200 bucks on amazon, and if you take care of them, they will last a very long time.

https://www.amazon.ca/Littmann-Cardiology-Stethoscope-27-Inch-Black-Silver/dp/B000F4UOXY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1481271400&sr=8-2&keywords=littman+cardiology+iv

Something like this. They're a hair over a dollar each, and with included batteries.

This is a little nicer at about two dollars a pop.

There are some keychain lights that are much cheaper, but I think it'd be better if the power button latched on. Also NiMH batteries will have a longer runtime, but that's more expense.

I have the ADC ADSCOPE 615 Platinum Professional Clinician Stethoscope with AFD Technology, 30.5 inch, Tactical. Forty bucks, handled and shipped. Best stethoscope I've ever used. Length is perfect for wrapping around neck and putting head in front scrub chest pocket to keep warm for use.

This one looks promising for a student, though.

I'll give you a tip on how to keep a stethoscope from being stolen, while I'm here (it happens to everyone). There are two places I keep my stethoscope - around my neck and on my dresser. It's always one of those two places.

A few strategies I use to get me past the "oh, I'll just have a bite" thoughts:

1. I think hard about whether that treat is really the best use I can think of for those calories. Even thought SCD isn't a calorie-focused diet, ultimately you are still eating and burning calories. Usually the answer to that question is no--I might want a bite of something not on-diet, but when I think about it, I don't really like it so much that I have to have it.
   
2. I mentally treat anything off-diet during the week as if I were allergic to it. In a way, its not a terribly inaccurate way to think about those foods. Obesity isn't an allergy, but it has similarities--it's an over-reaction of the body's adipose cells to certain foods that, for whatever reason, it can't handle in a healthy way. This also gives me a far more empathetic way of seeing my own weight issues and those of others -- being overweight isn't a necessarily moral failing of self control, any more than sneezing is. Both are just responses that one person has to a stimulus that doesn't impact other people.
   
3. I add it to my running mental list of things I'll wait to indulge in until Saturday. For foods that will keep, I might literally save them until then. For others, it's more of a thing of "oh, mac and cheese, I haven't had that in awhile, I think I'll do that on Saturday!" Then, related to (1), I might think about where the absolute best mac & cheese I can find will be on Saturday, rather than whatever mundane version is in front of me at the moment.
   
4. Occasionally, I'll actually have A BITE. The self control required on this is huge, but when faced with something special that can't be saved for Saturday, this allows me to enjoy something and then move past it. I try to be very present for that bite, and often, I'll enjoy the one taste more than I would've if I'd eaten a whole serving while, say, dividing my attention to conversation or my phone. Realistically, there are very few things that A BITE of will result in an appreciable blood sugar spike, especially during the course of a meal.
   
5. I keep one of these on top of my fridge, and think about whether whatever I'm staring at in there is really worth carrying around some chunk of this with me: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J8FJQNA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the one I use day to day. I had the Cardiology III throughout my EMT class and in my job (at the time, I got it for a steep discount because a friend of mine works a medical supply store). I prefer the ADC because it's inexpensive, is durable, and just works. My Cardiology III became harder and harder to hear out of after a year and I just never had the time to figure out the problem until I lost it at work.

I'm very happy with my ADC adscope for about 30 bucks. Better than my Lightweight II, and ADCs don't have the same tendency to walk off. Just don't get the light version. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NIB6J8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1376584628&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

Space Pen

Littman Stetho

MagLite

Glove pouch

Shears

Tool Holster


That's what I carried with a volly service.

I have never used a knockoff littmann, or seen one that I know of. I would be weary of a $10-15 stethoscope. You want something decent for school because you are just learning things like how to take a manual B/P, how to auscultate heart and lung sounds, etc and you want to be able to hear what you are listening for. I have used a cheap stethoscope (something like one of these) and it sucks. I had trouble getting a b/p because it was hard to hear.

You don't have to go all out and get a Cardiology III or anything, or even a littmann. There are other decent stethoscopes out there, but get one you can hear with. I used a littmann lightweight in school and it was decent and it only costs about 40 bucks on amazon. If you buy the right stethoscope now, you shouldn't have to buy a new one when you graduate, think of it as an investment. Just put your name on it so it doesn't walk away.

Here's the classic II in (what most nursing students use) in navy blue for $68.

Here's The lightweight for $39.99 in burgundy, the other colors are $44.

Here's an AdScope for $15-$18. I've never used one, but it has good reviews and I have heard of the brand before, so it might be worth a shot if you are truly that strapped for cash.

A couple of thoughts

I've always really liked this artist's work. She has a number of prints related to the brain and the nervous system. I think the circle of willis one is pretty neat and abstract.

Also you could get her a high quality reflex hammer. The nicer ones are much more effective than the cheaper ones (as my neurology attending called the "Fisher Price Hammers") and will help her out on neurology rotations (although that may be a couple of years down the line).

This is what I got when I entered nursing school and still use it. After my class, my nursing school starting requiring this stethoscope. You can not go wrong with a Littman classic.

17 days is not enough time for a daily smoker.

Test yourself
Be ready to sub

Dilution does not work don't waste your time. You should be good in 4 weeks but know and be ready to substitute. Quick fix has worked 3 times for me and twice for my wife.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Littmann-Classic-Stethoscope-2201/dp/B001NMT6N6/ref=gbps_tit_s-3_bb19_7fe555ef?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=41fd713f-6bfe-4299-a021-d2b94872bb19&pf_rd_s=slot-3&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_main&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=NJ5TVF7D3CZ3MF05AT0T

It's on sale for $60

If im buying a tool that I'm only going to use every now and again, ill buy a cheapo version and if I use it enough that it breaks, I will then buy a quality version.

So today my most used hook from my cheapo set of picks n hooks finally bit the dust. The steel rod has lost its grip on the inside of the plastic handle. Anyone know of a brand that crimps the steel inside the handle to avoid this issue? Ive been eyeing this set by Channellock since I love their pliers so much. Unless of course y'all have some other suggestions.

We bought a detecto, pricey but damn accurate

https://www.amazon.com/Detecto-Balance-Doctor-Physician-Height/dp/B00065EQJU

The best one is a mirror and a willingness to do lots of self-portraits and anyone else who you can convince to sit for you for a couple of hours.

A good replica skull, preferably one that's been cast from an actual human skull, is useful to have on hand for practice. Nowhere else in the body do the underlying bones have as much impact as what we see on the surface as in the head. (Well, maybe the hands, because of all the sticky-outy-finger bits.) One like this is what I'm talking about, not something you'd get at the Halloween store.

Plaster cast busts are a good source for a real-life model you can work from at any time and that won't move around on you. You miss out on the color, but they're still good for doing value studies. Just look for 'plaster cast bust' on Amazon, they've got tons of them. I used one of the Torino mini head of David ones for this painting the other day.

Steve Huston's lecture on head construction is excellent. It's a full, 3 hour lecture, including time for drawing.

When you have a good grasp of the basic Loomis and/or Huston style of head construction, it's worth digging into Reilly head abstractions; these two videos - part one and part two - break it down pretty well. I've not found a book yet that covers it as well as that; Reilly himself never wrote it down, so all the writing we have on it is based on things his students have written about it, so there's no one, definitive resource. People refer to it as being 'the gesture of the head', but personally I think that's a confusing way to describe it because it's not really the same sort of gesture that we mean when we're talking about gesture drawing of the figure. Personally I think a better way to think of Reilly is that it describes a) the way the parts of the head flow together and relate to one another and b) a more organic way of viewing the planes of the head than an Asaro head, though Asaro heads are pretty nifty!

I would also strongly suggest getting a decent reflex hammer. This one is $20, and it's as good a one as you'll ever need.

https://www.amazon.com/Tromner-Neurological-cutaneous-superficial-responses/dp/B0012NI68M/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1506806746&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=tromner+reflex+hammer&psc=1

I use one of these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019IZZKUC

Stethoscope = Cardiology III

Shears = Sexy Black

Penlight = Reusable

Rescue Knife = Epic Knife

o2 Key = Cheap Plastic Crap

Flashlight = Maglite Mini


Holster for all of the crap above


Radio Holster


I have had the same equipment for 7 years + so far. Epic, works well.

yeah. i think you're right, i need to get the plastic out. It's annoyingly tough in all the wrong ways so dental pick maybe would be too weak, but i found these that will probably help. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RMR1X82/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Maybe i need to exercise a bit more care and patience with this job...take the week before my nut extractors arrive to make sure all the crap is out of the threads and i can get a good bite on the nut before i try again.

An inexpensive Tekton set would be better than the HF ones:
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-6943-Precision-Pick-4-Piece/dp/B000NPPBQK

or like already mentioned, Channellock made in usa:
https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-HP-4A-Coated-Acetate-Handle/dp/B00RMR1X82/

or Craftsman:
https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Hook-Pick-Cushioned-Handles/dp/B001OIMXYI/

I like the handles on the Gearwrench:
https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-84000D-Hook-Pick-Set/dp/B002EYI19M
made in Taiwan, tho.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Littmann-Cardiology-Stethoscope-3128/product-reviews/B000F4UOXY

I like this one. Plus, it is not too heavy. Make sure you label it well.

shoes: i buy whatever black slip-on style shoes are at tj maxx when i need a new pair. i don't have very sensitive feet.

watch: i get $2 silicone watches off ebay from china, they work fine and i can throw them away if i need to without feeling bad

pen lights: i get this pack off amazon and it lasts like two years http://www.amazon.com/Primacare-DL-9223-Disposable-Diagnostic-Penlight/dp/B003F13FMQ/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1458509318&sr=8-1&keywords=pen+lights

lanyards: it's best not to wear hangy stuff around your neck that someone can grab

scrubs: i like grey's anatomy tops and koi pants

stethoscope: i have a littman cardiology III and it works fine

i bought a bunch of stuff i didn't need when i was in nursing school because buying gear was a way i dealt with anxiety (like maybe i wouldn't be anxious if i felt like i was more prepared, or whatever). i only have two nursing items that i feel like have genuinely made a big difference - i have a very tiny very bright flashlight that i use for putting in foleys in women (not for pupil checks) - all the flashlights they have on my unit are pretty weak and a really bright light helps me with foley placements because i have pretty bad vision anyway. and i use one of those dorky hip packs to hold my pens and scissors and alcohol wipes and IV caps and i can't imagine working without it.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Diagnostic-Platinum-Edition-Adscope/dp/B000X7TKLK
Really like this one, real sensitive.

I love these toothpicks for stirring the bowl:

https://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Ornate-Wood-Toothpicks-pieces/dp/B000RAFUIU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492557660&sr=8-1&keywords=fancy+toothpick

I shortened one a little, and have it taped to my lighter.

The small curved locking hemostat is a key part of smoking an old-school joint without a filter:

https://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Kelly-Curved-Forceps-Hemostat/dp/B00062N42S/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1492557721&sr=8-4&keywords=hemostat

Yeah I got it as a gift but I really like it. Simple black watchface, good tick to it, nice for taking pulses or glancing to check the time and it doesn't obscure your auscultation as long as it's high up enough on the tubing. Similar to this model and clips right onto the tubing. I've never seen anyone else with one, but I also haven't gotten made fun of for it yet, and it's been quite a while, so I'm calling it a win.

This drove me and my wife nuts. I used to be 340 lbs and I would get up to 10 lbs of variation in 10 minutes time. It was very depressing and obnoxious.

We finally bought one of these, https://smile.amazon.com/Detecto-Balance-Doctor-Physician-Height/dp/B00065EQJU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491832759&sr=8-1&keywords=Dr+scale that was almost 10 years ago and we haven't looked back.

I bought my girlfriend a stethoscope days before she started school on amazon. If you have Prime, you have two day shipping free, if you don't, then consider it a "dumbass tax."

Good luck!

Non-mobile: this model

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

It's a little more on the expensive side but the Littmann Cardiology III stethoscope is fantastic. It's very durable and sensitive to sounds that lesser stethoscopes would miss.

Just get a blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope. Taking your own blood pressure is super easy to do, and both of those are quality instruments for much less than $150. I’m an EMT - we have monitors on our ambulance that read blood pressure, heart rate, can do EKGs, work as an AED... and the BPs are notoriously inaccurate. The most accurate reading will come from doing it yourself.

Caseling Hard Case for Stethoscope. I can't remember who I heard it from, but it was either in /r/mk or /r/olkb. It's a comically good fit for the Let's Split and I've heard it fits a Planck well, too. My Let's Split is using the design files from github (which I had cut into glass green acrylic on ponoko), so YMMV.

Several nurses I work with have one of these and like them pretty well. I have one of these and love it, but I work in oncology.

While I don't have a recommendation for a stylus light, as another student nurse I would recommend just getting a pack of cheap disposable penlights to get you through nursing school. You wont have to worry about using your nice light in a room that is on contact precautions and they provide more than enough light for examining wounds and other things.

http://www.amazon.com/Drug-Test-Marijuana-Urine-Strips/dp/B000HWNX2I

The piece is Ecce Animal by Dutch artist "Diddo". It was a commissioned piece, but he's unable to provide details about its worth or how much cocaine it required because he's under a non-disclosure agreement. Test results indicated it was between 15% and 20% pure.


Imagine you want to replace someone's skull with cocaine. Their skull suddenly disappears and they're left left with a cavity in their head for you to fill up with coke. But before you start pouring you want to know how big the cavity is to know how much it's gonna cost you.

You use this skull model as a reference. It's anatomically accurate, but it doesn't mention its volume, only its weight and that its made out of PVC. You know its weight is 2.1 lb (9.341 N) and the density of the material is [1.3g/cm^3](http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=pvc+density&a=DPClash.MaterialEC.pvc-_PVC.Molded--), so you use that to find its mass, 952.52 g, and its volume, 733 cm^3.

Your friend Wolfram happens to know about Class A drugs and tells you the density of cocaine, 1.216 g/cm^3. You figure you need 891.328 g, which is very specific, but you eventually find a dealer who's okay with it. Your total is $160,439.04.

TLDR $160,439.04

^^Things ^^that ^^skewed ^^the ^^results: ^^I ^^couldn't ^^find ^^info ^^on ^^how ^^much ^^space ^^a ^^skull ^^takes ^^up ^^in ^^your ^^head ^^so ^^I ^^used ^^the ^^plastic ^^model ^^instead. ^^The ^^model ^^has ^^two ^^springs ^^and ^^the ^^weight ^^is ^^its ^^shipping ^^weight, ^^which ^^includes ^^any ^^wrapping ^^it ^^comes ^^with. ^^The ^^density ^^isn't ^^exact ^^since ^^the ^^coke ^^used ^^in ^^the ^^piece ^^was ^^cut ^^with ^^sugars ^^and ^^other ^^stuff. ^^And ^^I ^^used ^^the ^^price ^^/u/FUCKING_HATE_REDDIT ^^because ^^I ^^didn't ^^want ^^to ^^search ^^up ^^on ^^prices.

On person? Small kit consisting of:

• Compressed guaze
  
• Cat Tourniquet
  
• Nitrile Gloves
  
• Couple random band-aids in different sizes
  
  Skill-set wise I'm confident in my ability to not make things worse. I've taken several classes in first-aid and am first(worst?)-responder certified and have taken a couple additional classes.
  
  The things I carry don't take up much space and are within the scope of my training. I am fortunate in that I live in the US and have ready access (most of the time) to advanced medical treatment via BLS/ALS and hospitals and I take that into consideration when thinking about what I carry on my person.
  
  In my vehicle and my bag I carry a couple additional items that could be helpful were I to stumble upon a collision or something like that. My first responsibility is to my family (wife and children) and after that I'm willing to help where I can if necessary. I've also always reasoned that if I'm going to carry tools by which I can punch high-velocity holes in a person from a distance, I should be able to effectively provide aid to deal with those injuries.

Speaking of tool belts, you may want to include the [Zip-It] (http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Products-00412BL-Zip-It-Cleaning/dp/B000BO9204) style drain cleaner and the curved hemostat for the inevitable sink/tub clogs. Also, check out videos for removing sink stoppers. The lift arm/stopper intersection is where most hair accumulates in sinks.

If the ink on your hands is from re-filling maybe invest in some nitrile gloves

Surprisingly cheap and will keep your hands clean during re-fills.

Barring that maybe use the disposable Varsity FP's. No mess from re-filling.

Very resourceful. I was gonna go full MacGyver and use a paperclip, but the toothpick looked a bit more classy. I want to pick up a set of hemostatic forceps. I hope those will do the trick better than pricking my nub.

ADC Adscope. Just as good as the Littmann II while half the price.

Also I got mine in a weird color. Name tags can be removed. Engraving cost money. Only person in the hospital with an easily identifiable royal blue tubing.

Fake ones:
http://www.skullsunlimited.com/col/10/replica-human-skulls.htm


Cheaper, decent quality:
http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Anatomical-Quality-Classic-3-part/dp/B0077B3L42/


Real ones:
http://www.skullsunlimited.com/record_family.php?id=227

I used to use a Littman II Classic SE, and it was good. After losing/misplacing it on a flight last year, I decided to go with the ADC Adscope 615st (Tactical). This has become my favorite stethoscope by far. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/American-Diagnostic-Platinum-Edition-Adscope/dp/B000X7TKLK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hpc_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Q9YNDFZV6C6BPJ1R8QR

Get a balance scale. We have this one and love it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00065EQJU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_Ly7nDbKAFAY8Z

link without tracking (remove all after /ref): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00065EQJU

I would recommend maybe a different douche to wash you out. I remeber using a smaller one for myself didnt work well. I use one i can hook into shower which doesnt take long to be completely clean or used this since it was pretty cheap and it works well too.

Stethoscope case, 10.8 x 2 x 4.3 inches.

I personally love my littmann light weight. Comfy on my ears and you can hear everything just fine. Plus 40$ on amazon and comes in a bunch of colors is nice. Had it since 2015 at this point. I got a little clock attachment with the seconds hand on it and people love to steal it since our ICU room does not have a clock so if you don't have a watch your SOL. Plus its LIGHT WEIGHT who needs neck problems, not me.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Littmann-Lightweight-Stethoscope-2450/dp/B000F4SP6W/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=littman%2Blightweight&qid=1566523409&s=gateway&sr=8-3&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Medical-Analog-Stethoscope-Watch/dp/B001ULDADW/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=stethoscope+clock&qid=1566523491&s=gateway&sr=8-3

These disposable penlights are great. They have the pupil dilation gauge printed on them. You can get the regular ones as well, but disposable ones are good to have on hand depending on the situation.

Depending on your body weight/usage you might be able to piss clean after two weeks of abstinence. "Accepted" THC retention times are a bit longer than actual times (very very few people test positive a month after a single session). After 2 bowls, I myself test clean in 3 days (learned this for randoms I had to take).

LegalizeThatShit gives sound advice - I'd just add that you can buy an over-the-counter test (or NIST strips off the internet) and test yourself before hand for your own sanity.

I bought that scale model of 1lb of fat and I keep it on my desk where I eat and where I study. When I feel like snacking I hold it and use it as a "stress ball" to keep focused.

https://www.amazon.com/Nasco-WA14533-Human-Body-Replica/dp/B00J8FJQNA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549490963&sr=8-2&keywords=one+pound+of+fat

I take a backpack with me everyday to work with daily essentials I need to survive 12+ hours, including water jug, snacks, laptop, headphones, easy homework/books to study, and ibuprofen for after bariatric calls -_-. As far as a gear goes, do NOT go all out. You don't want to be that brand new IFT EMT that shows up with a tactical bat belt with fanny packs, stethoscope holsters, raptors/shears, flashlights, penlights, and a pocket knife.

​

Your company will provide you with: pen lights, generic stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and disposable trauma shears. If you're working at a BLS IFT company, they should provide you with a pulse ox as well. If they do not, then you are not required to purchase one of your own.

​

You should bring: blue/back-ink pens (have a couple spares in your backpack), clipboard that you can store confidential documents in, a sharpie, and small pocket notepad. If you already own your own stethoscope, you can bring that, however, you do not need to go purchase a fancy stethoscope. At most, all you will use your stethoscope for as a BLS IFT EMT is for blood pressures and the occasional lung sounds, and the generic stethoscope your company provides will be able to do that. If you do decide to purchase your own stethoscope, I recommend not spending more than $50 on one. I personally recommend ADC Adscopes over Littman's (better bang for your buck in my opinion). I have the ADC 615 stethoscope in black tactical and greatly enjoy it.

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You do not need to bring: a pocket knife (I've been in the field for almost four years and have never once needed a pocket knife for anything that trauma shears couldn't handle, though if you want to keep one in your backpack, all the power to you), fancy trauma shears (such as Raptors), any sort of pouches or first aid kits that attach to your belt (yes, I have seen new EMTs wearing these. It is completely unnecessary unless you are doing Special Events/Standbys), and weapons of any kind (tasers, pepperspray, etc). I had a new EMT trainee show up with pepper spray hanging off his belt once. Not a good look.

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Good luck!

"I'm just going to 'listen to your heart for a minute' ahem Just breathe normal."

(Actually counting respirations...)

I find this usually works. Also, I have one of these attached to my stethoscope so I'm not craning my neck in search of a wall clock: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ULDADW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HNcxDbJH4KASE

The responses you got were kind of dumb. Just buy a medical replica one off of amazon. I got mine for $40 and the only probably I have with it is that there's a dividing line where they stuck the top of the skull on. Not a big deal and it's easy to ignore when doing studies.

http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Anatomical-Quality-Classic-3-part/dp/B0077B3L42/ref=pd_sim_sbs_indust_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JY13K4EYEQHGDS0XBEZ

That one's not bad for the price. Mine doesn't have the pop off top, but is otherwise quite similar. I don't like the whiteness of the teeth either. I couldn't find the exact one I have,

If you're going to shop around for them a bit, just be wary of the ones that are meant for decoration. They barely resemble human skulls and lack all of the finer details. Also, amazon is selling some skulls from a retailer called Nose Desert or Desert Nose. They look okay, until you look at the teeth. They look nothing like real teeth, and look like they just made a cast of a skull and stuck some weirdly shaped pieces of wood in the tooth spots.

Anything from a scientific or medical resource is going to be pretty good, but probably a bit more expensive. I think the one I linked is a good balance of the two, and it avoids all the annoying things, like the medical ones that have numbers or colours all over the different parts of the skull.

By complete chance I stumbled on this in amazon bargains today if you don’t find it at a flea https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00062N42S/ref=bbp_bb_de0133_st_d8Wa_m_6?psc=1&smid=A1O3IT76CMGLRM

December 21st and a girl!

$20 item

$40 item

Just out of curiosity, what kind of dental cotton do you use? I ordered some from 1.5" cotton rolls from Elite Dental on Amazon ([link](Cotton Rolls #2 Medium 1.5" Non-Sterile 100% High Absorbent Cotton Pack of 50 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017QSM8DA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VSaMxb5BJBFW5) ) but I'm not sure if I got the right stuff. Can't seem to find the grain. It kind of goes every which way.

I tried replacing the port on the top of my res with a fitting and tubing, but when I'd pour down that, the liquid would just stop in the tubing because I had no other open ports for air to escape.

I really like the syringe with hose that I've been using. I can get the hose into tight places when the res isn't in a convenient spot, and if I pour a little too much, I can use the hose to take some back out.

Any links for it?

All I can find is Dental Cotton rolls, that look like well...tampons (Here and Here)and not like the sheets you get with Cotton Bacon. I've heard before that Cotton Bacon is supposedly Dental Cotton but I've never been able to find anything that looks like it.

The cooling system should be compatible with your case and components.

For the pump/reservoir mount, I'd recommend the EK-UNI Pump Bracket for 120mm that will mount to your radiator instead of relying on it "appearing" to mount to the bottom of the case.

For maintenance, get one of these or one of these for filling and refilling your loop. For draining, you want a Y splitter or T splitter and a ball valve. Adding the drain to your loop will require additional compression fittings, some tube, and probably a M-M rotary extender as well as a plug.

Tips and tricks: Buy some extra fittings. Having a few 90 and 45 degree adapters and some M-F extenders around will help you route tubing around your components, and make your build look considerably better.

These are pretty good

They're only $70 on Amazon if you decide to get one.


I cut my tubing down to about 24" as well.

The Caseling Hard Case for Stethoscope was recommended on /r/olkb. I got one and am very pleased with it!

It's not 250ml but I have one of these. Here is a 150ml from another vendor.

And you can test yourself ahead.
http://smile.amazon.com/Drug-Test-Marijuana-Urine-Strips/dp/B000HWNX2I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1415409709&sr=8-4&keywords=thc+test+strips

Here is the one I bought for school

This is one of the three stethoscopes that my nursing program suggested. People may say," You get what you pay for," but really do your research first before spending money on something.

I used this as a resident: MDF® Tromner Neurological Reflex Hammer with built-in brush for cutaneous and superficial responses - Light - HDP Handle - Black (MDF555P-11) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012NI68M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_76mIzbNKASKZQ

I carry less as am attending and use this:
MDF® Babinski Telescoping 2.0 Neurological Reflex Hammer with built-in brush for cutaneous and superficial responses - Black (MDF535XT-11) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZF36R4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_i8mIzbZFVSY64

This is one of them [Channellock] (https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-HP-4A-Coated-Acetate-Handle/dp/B00RMR1X82/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518126045&sr=8-1&keywords=channellock+pick)

Okay, now I'm a little confused. Are you talking about the small cotton cylinders like these, or a big roll like PM_ME_TITS_N_420 was talking about?

This would allow me to spread some flashlight love https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JZ9E2UU/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_pX.0DbRYQJDAG

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Littmann-Classic-Stethoscope-2201/dp/B00NT6LIU8/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1465003667&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=3M+Littmann+Classic+II+S.E.+Stethoscope%2C+Orange+Tube%2C+28+inch%2C+2812

This is what I had through nursing school. under $100 and does a great job!

Well there was no big pop, nor was there a lot of pus. It was like she was removing one of those human fat replicas from her patient. Not the ickiest surgery video I've seen, but sometimes the icky ones are the best.

Or get essentially the same product for $80. I've compared that (and other Littmann clones) to the real deal and can only barely tell the difference. For 99% of nursing jobs you'd be fine with the 5 dollar disposable stethoscopes, so the slight difference between the brand and the clone is, in my opinion, totally not worth it. That's why I carry a $30 stethoscope, because when it gets lost, stolen, broken or dropped in a pool of unknown human goo I don't get upset, I just get a new one. After all, my stethoscope is cheaper than when I buy food for the unit.

vanishing point is a fountain pen, a premium pen. It costs about $150 on the dot. Unlike other fountain pens this one has a click mechanism, so it doesn't dry out, and is great for charting.
https://www.google.com/search?q=pilot+vanishing+point&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

A litmann classic 2 is going to be less than $100 and engraving shouldn't be much more. Litmann are pretty much the gold standard. These are heads above their competition, will last a lifetime surely through his entire medical school career, and more than likely residency. I suggest engraving because they are stolen often, if its engraved its his. The only better option i can think of is a cardiology one, which do cost more, but are overkill and only the cardiologist carry them.

Your choices are between Classic 2 and classic 3. If he doesn't have a stethoscope, this is it. This is what you get him, period. Engraving would be a HUGE plus.

Classic 2 Mine:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Littmann-Classic-Stethoscope-2201/dp/B00NT6LIU8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473020623&sr=8-1&keywords=littmann+classic+2

Classic 3, just a little bit different than the 2, either one is PERFECT:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Littmann-Stethoscope-Copper-Finish-5809/dp/B00QGHDJN6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1473020623&sr=8-11&keywords=littmann+classic+2