Rothco EMT Medical Trauma Kit: Field Manual & Standard Operating Procedures

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Rothco EMT Medical Trauma Kit: Field Manual & Standard Operating Procedures

Category: First Aid Kits

Difficulty Level: Tier 3: Field Competency Required

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Written by: Valerie Ellis Lavin

Quick Overview

The Rothco EMT Medical Trauma Kit is a comprehensive non-personal medical response bag used by designated first responders, EMRs, and EMT-certified operators to manage injuries and medical emergencies ranging from minor wounds to multi-system trauma pending the arrival of definitive care.

This kit is organized into six functional modules covering hemorrhage control, airway and resuscitation, diagnostics and instruments, orthopedic injury management, minor wound and burn care, and PPE support. The hemorrhage control module alone includes multi-trauma dressings, bleed stop bandages, ABD pads, sterile gauze pads, an elastic bandage, and triangular bandages, providing layered capability for wounds of varying severity. The airway module includes a CPR mask, two oral airway adjuncts, and ammonia inhalants, with OPAs restricted to trained personnel only due to aspiration risk in patients who retain a gag reflex.

Deployment follows a five-step protocol: scene safety and BSI, triage and hemorrhage control, secondary patient assessment, continued treatment and patient packaging, and structured EMS handover. The SOP prioritizes the active bleeder first, uses EMT shears to expose wounds, and directs operators to layer additional dressings over saturated ones rather than removing the original. Casualty blankets are applied to prevent hypothermia and treat for shock.

A critical equipment limitation in this kit is the included latex band, which is a phlebotomy venous constriction device and not an arterial tourniquet. Applying it for hemorrhage control will likely increase blood loss by occluding venous return while leaving arterial flow intact. Operators are strongly advised to supplement this kit with a CoTCCC-recommended tourniquet such as a CAT or SOFTT-W.

Field Application Steps

1. DON PPE BEFORE CONTACT: Put on examination gloves before approaching any patient. Body substance isolation is non-negotiable and must precede all other actions regardless of scene urgency.

2. ESTABLISH SCENE SAFETY: Direct bystanders to clear working space and scan for ongoing hazards. A compromised scene endangers both the operator and the patient.

3. TRIAGE AND PRIORITIZE: Identify the most critical casualty. Prioritize any patient with active, uncontrolled bleeding over a patient who is collapsed but stable.

4. EXPOSE AND ASSESS THE WOUND: Use EMT shears to rapidly cut away clothing or other materials obstructing the injury site. Full wound visualization is required before applying any dressing.

5. CONTROL HEMORRHAGE: Apply a sterile gauze pad or ABD pad directly over the wound with firm, sustained direct pressure. Secure with an elastic bandage or bleed stop bandage. Do not remove the initial dressing if it saturates. Place a multi-trauma dressing on top and maintain pressure.

6. ASSESS THE SECONDARY PATIENT: Check the collapsed patient for responsiveness and breathing. If the patient is unresponsive and not breathing, initiate CPR using the CPR mask as a barrier device for rescue breaths.

7. PERFORM NEUROLOGICAL CHECK: Use the penlight to assess pupillary response. Question any responsive patients about the mechanism of injury, symptoms, and medical history.

8. MANAGE ORTHOPEDIC INJURIES: For suspected extremity fractures, form the universal splint to the injured limb, create structural ridges for rigidity, pad as needed, and secure with an elastic or triangular bandage. For suspected cervical spine injury, apply the cervical collar only if trained personnel and a two-person team are available.

9. APPLY OPA IF TRAINED AND INDICATED: For an unconscious patient with no gag reflex, size the oral airway adjunct by measuring from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw. Insert carefully to displace the tongue from the posterior pharynx. Do not use on any patient who retains a gag reflex.

10. PREVENT HYPOTHERMIA AND TREAT FOR SHOCK: Wrap patients in casualty blankets with the silver side facing inward to retain body heat. This applies to all trauma patients regardless of ambient temperature.

11. REASSESS AND MONITOR: Continuously reassess all patients for changes in responsiveness, breathing, bleeding status, and circulation. Document changes in patient condition for EMS handover.

12. CONDUCT EMS HANDOVER: Report the number of patients, mechanism of injury, injuries identified, all treatments rendered, and any changes in patient status. Assist EMS as directed and retain used supplies for proper disposal and documentation per your organization's protocol.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER & SAFETY WARNING:
The information provided in this Luminary Global Field Manual is strictly for educational and informational purposes. It is not a substitute for formal medical, tactical, or professional training. In the event of a medical emergency, immediately seek professional help or contact emergency services. Luminary Global assumes no liability for the misuse of equipment, improper application of techniques, or any injuries/damages resulting from the use of these guidelines. Always rely on your official agency training, local laws, and established protocols during a crisis.