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Evaulation Tools for Paramedics

The difference between life and death often comes down to the quickness, efficiency and knowledge of a paramedic. These first responders are called on in many emergency situations and use the most advanced equipment available to monitor the conditions of people. Monitoring is one of the most informative types of strategies for saving lives as it gives information about vital body signals.

  1. Cardiac Monitor

    • One of the most vital organs in the human body is the heart---it is responsible for distributing blood throughout the body. The organ is also one of the most susceptible to disease, as more seniors die from heart-related conditions than anything else. Cardiac monitors allow the paramedics to learn information about the heart's condition. This includes how the heart is beating and the speed at which it is beating. If the beats are not correct, this will also be immediately noticeable.

      Cardiac monitors have a 12-inch ECG, which provide a 3D image of the heart. Twelve dots can be placed on the body, which send the image from the emergency to the hospital, where doctors can diagnosis the issue immediately.

    Blood Pressure Cuff

    • Directly related to the heart, the body's blood pressure is a vital sign that is constantly measured as it dictates the state of the body. The blood pressure cuff---also known as the sphygmomanometer---is used by paramedics. Blood pressure cuffs help diagnose an assortment of issues, such as heart attacks and strokes, as well as hardened arteries. They are also commonly used to estimate the amount of blood lost during emergencies.

    Oxygen

    • Oxygen is a fuel that people's bodies thrive on, and without enough of it people cannot survive. Oxygen is commonly delivered to patients at liters per minute and is sent through a mask, and consistently monitored until breathing is at a normal rate. Conditions such as asthma or heart attacks commonly require the use of oxygen, as well as trauma instances such as collapsed lungs and broken ribs.

      To effectively measure how much blood is in a person's blood, paramedics also use a "pulse oximeter." This machine is able to effectively measure the number of oxygen cells within red blood cells.

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