I need gear I can deploy in under 10 seconds with gloves on — what’s the one tool you keep on you for blunt trauma in a crowded bay at 0200? I’m torn between a compact pelvic binder and carrying a second preloaded IO; video laryngoscope stays in the room, but my pockets are prime real estate.
Pelvic binder wins at 0200; IO’s in cart. I carry SAM Compact — “under 10 seconds” with gloves. @OP?
I keep a SAM Compact folded flat in my cargo pocket, pre-sized to about 90 cm with the Velcro tab exposed and the buckle pre-threaded; it goes on in 5–7 seconds even when everything’s slick. “under 10 seconds” — totally doable; rubber-band the free tail so you can grab-and-wrap without fishing for the end. If your bays already have binders at arm’s reach, I’d use that pocket for a spare sternal IO instead — @OP do you have binders stocked bedside or just in the cart?
I carry a pelvic binder folded into thirds with the strap tucked and a little tape “flag” on the pull so I can snag it with gloves, plus a Sharpie arrow inside pointing to the pubic symphysis for faster midline. Small caveat: if I’m roaming away from the bay, I swap it for a hemostatic gauze pack since that gets used more in hallway chaos. @OP do you have a spot on the stretcher to stage a spare so your pocket can stay lighter?
With crowded bays and the clock ticking, I’ve found that keeping a compact pelvic binder handy makes a real difference. It’s quick to deploy and effective for blunt trauma — especially at 0200 when chaos reigns. Just make sure it’s prepped well, or you might waste precious seconds fumbling. @lgrant57, do you ever practice transitions between tools in high-pressure scenarios?