Uriah Yarbrough posted (1st post) on Aug. 8 that they are in need of simple medical supplies. Most can be bought at a pharmacy or medical supply store. They are in need of bandages, ace wraps, blood pressure cuffs, stethescopes, OTC med, and some other things that are going to be harder to get. I am working on the "harder to get" things (NPA, OPA, pulse ox, ammonia capsules) as well as BP cuffs and stethescopes. The ambulace company that I work for has helped out with this kind of stuff for contacts in the past. IT's kinda sad to think that our medics are have to "pull teeth" (those are Uriah's words) to get medical supplies that they need to take care of our wounded but thats how things happen sometimes I guess. Junkies lets show these medics what we are made of.

I'm a paramedic too.  Already on it...ace wraps, bandages, OTC meds covered.  Helps to be married to a paramedic coordinator with medical supply contacts.  Only problem is quantities to send...thinking large ones and continual, as in monthly? Somtimes that can be barting room for discounts.   Will just have to write and find out after first shipment.  The other stuff...will get back to you if I can work anything out or not.

What are NPAs and OPAs, please?

 It sounds as if the hospitals are going backwards in Iraq, now that the emphasis is on Afghanistan.  Our troops deserve the best no matter where they are, especially our wounded. 

I have some very nice ace bandages that were given to me for just this reason.  I believe they are 3".  I will send those along with some biofreeze and some other things.  I will check where I used to work and see if they have any stethoscopes or BP cuffs that aren't needed.

One item on the hard to find list I found at this site

http://www.readykor.com/medicine/ammonia%20inhalant.html

I haven't ordered from that organization before but they are certified by the Better Business Bureau as shown here

http://www.bbb.org/connecticut/business-reviews/first-aid-supplies/centurion-communication-in-rye-brook-ny-87011407#complaint

On the menu on the left, there is a Military First Aid kit option as well as First Responder and Trauma packs.

Shipping within the US is free on orders over $99. 

I sent an email to readykor.com to verify that they ship to APO FPO

Here is the response:

"We do ship out items to military addresses. The cost of shipping is the same
for all of the addresses within the U.S., exclusions apply to Alaska and
Hawaii. Please note that we provide free shipping on all orders over $99.00"

NPA-nasal Pharyngeal airway

OPA-oral pharyngeal airway

Used to keep airways open for unconscious patients.  This was the saddest part of the post.  No airway-no viable patient... 

Still working on it... 

Thanks guys!!! This is a difficult situation that shouldn't be but it is going to be so nice for them to see us pull through. I have already written to Uriah asking if this is just a temporary shortage of suppplies of if he thinks this is going to be a need throughout his deployment. The bad thing is if one group has this need, how many more do. Space Cadet thanks for the info. Karen your thinking along the same lines as I am, long term unfortunately. Our ops manager retired from the military as an MP so he is good about my occasional requests for help getting thins. We just got life pack 12s with pulse oxs and out old portable ones are in a box in the store room I'm working on getting atleast a couple of them to send since they are so expensive. I will keep all of you posted on what I find out from Uriah. Thanks again guy for your help, coming from a medic it is tough enough to do their jobs let alone without the equipment to do it right the first time.

Holly 

as far as pulse ox goes, why not consider the home use ones?  My first department was POC, we used these smaller, more compact, home health style due to cost for years.  I found them reliable and the did take a lot of use and wear.  Small enough to fit in a field bag if necessary too?  These are under $100.  Just thinking out loud, picking the brain of other medics...

Seems to me at some point there was a place a couple years a go with inexpensive BP cuffs.  FD ended up with a box of them somehow.  They weren't the greatest in the world, but could due for a temp situation or in the interim until we can locate something better.  Same goes for stethescopes.  I am thinking a few sets of the low end models for short term use possibly, unless someone else located a better option. 

Again, the better equipment would be the ideal situation, but for short term it is an option.

I looked at a website yesterday and found finger pulse ox (FDA approved for approx $50).

They also had some stethoscopes for approx $5 /one. Here at the VA where I work we have really cheap

black stethoscopes that come from supply and they are good enough for most stuff.

I was thinking the PDA was a Palm Pilot handheld that has medical programs to look up treatments, medications, etc. --The nurse practitioners and physician assistants use them. I looked on aacn.org and they are about $400. But, then I couldn't figure out what OPAs were. So, these are the curved oral airway things. Then for the PDA, is that a nasal trumpet, or an endotracheal tube.

If they are asking for something to keep the airway open, that is really pathetic.

The NPA-nasal pharyngeal airway I believe may be the nasal trumpet you are talking about.  The ET tube is different.  The OPA and NPA are field medicine for someone unconscious, but not out enough to allow for a more advanced airway such as an ET tube.  Many times drugs are required to get the pt down enough to allow an advanced airway to be placed.  If you can place one in the field that is not drug assisted, the person is in bad shape.  Considering field conditions, I doubt advanced airway placement is possible until you hit a field hospital or regular hospital setting.  Hence the need for the alternative OPA, NPA until then. 

OK  sorry so long winded... and not being a military medic, just speculation.

and I agree, if they are asking for airways, that is a problem. Considerig ABC's of emergency medicine   A-airway, without it you don't move on to the next treatment because if the pt has no airway, you can't move on to B-breathing.  Pounded into my head while in class...airway, airway, airway, first and foremost. 

 http://www.medexsupply.com/blood-pressure-x_cp-190.htm

Look at the third item down, ADC6005  It has a nurse's stethoscope included.  These are really inexpensive BP monitors, so I don't know how great they are.  It could be that since so many are going electronic that they have an oversupply of these.   These might be better since they don't require batteries.

They have some airways, but I don't know enough about them to comment.

Hi There..

We (mom and I) are shipping out a box of ACE bandage, gauze, NSAIDS, neosporin, ice pak, first aid kits this weekend. My doctor is getting together some stethoscopes.  Any idea what size to order the OPA's in ? I will order some when I find out.

I'm with you guys, I'm appalled that they don't have this stuff !

 I also have ace bandages, Kling, Kerlix, 3x4's, Naproxen and Ibuprofen.  Sounds like they will have a good start at least. 

As for OPA sizes, I would say 7,8,9,10mm

I have two boxes going out today. The first is medical supplies the second snacks and drink mixes for the guys. Here is the list that I sent.

3 bottles each of tylenol, asprin, and motrin

2 boxes each of dayquil, non drowsy allergy medicine, and nasal decongestant

2 tubes each of neosporin, triple antibiotic, and anti itch cream

4 boxes of 4X4 gauze bandages (12 packs per box)

12 boxes 2-4 inch kling and ace wraps

2 boxes of multi size bandaides

2 rolls paper medical tape

2 digital thermometers with disposable covers

2 BP cuff and stethescope kits

A ton of granola bars, cheese crackers, and drink mixes.

I'm still working on Pulse Ox machines of some type probably home health ones and airway supplies but the boxes were full so away they go now. Thanks again everyone for your help with this.

Holly