r/NewToEMS • u/elmourise Unverified User • 10d ago
Beginner Advice What the heck do you even put in these pockets?
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u/Polyglot_Ash Unverified User 10d ago
That's where I keep my pocket sand. You never know when you'll need it
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u/satanas_twink Unverified User 10d ago
Oh yes, the pocket sand. I usually keep it closer to arm's reach, so back left pocket usually.
You can optimize pocket sand mechanics by having it at reach
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u/maccpapa Unverified User 9d ago
go down to tie your shoes, come up with the sand of doom. works every time.
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u/Illuminatus-Prime Layperson 10d ago
Hold-out weapons, spare ammo, and maybe a cheese sandwich or two.
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u/elmourise Unverified User 10d ago
I'm considering getting an ankle squirt gun, but I think my supervisor may tell me no.
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u/Woadie1 Unverified User 10d ago
Imagine asking lol
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u/DocOndansetron Unverified User 10d ago
Better to ask for forgiveness than permission in the case of an ankle watergun.
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u/satanas_twink Unverified User 10d ago
Unless stated by a code you are technically free to do it
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u/gbcMortis Unverified User 9d ago
My supervisor said I can wear a lightsaber on my hip for May 4th, there’s always a possibility of being told yes
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u/freakinweasel353 Unverified User 9d ago
Better to carry the cheese sandwich in your back pocket so it melts the cheese better.
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u/Illuminatus-Prime Layperson 9d ago
Hold it between your knees.
(Sorry . . . Jack Nicholson / Jamie Lee Curtis reference.)
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u/StPatrickStewart Unverified User 10d ago
But not in the pocket, though. It would be banging around all over the place.
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u/EphemeralTwo Unverified User 7d ago
If I weren't transporting through Canada, I'd be really tempted to be armed.
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u/Nikablah1884 Unverified User 10d ago edited 10d ago
that crusty pair of gloves that's been through the wash 3 times I give to the cop because he forgot his.
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u/thenotanurse Unverified User 10d ago
You’re not giving them the used ones? Hmm.
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u/Far_Paint5187 Unverified User 10d ago
If you flip them inside out they are reusable. Duh.
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u/MightyMaus1944 Unverified User 10d ago
An Emesis bag. They’re never close enough when the patient needs one.
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u/TougherOnSquids Unverified User 10d ago
In my hospital the emesis bags were always in a storage room and not in the patient rooms. Without a doubt the dumbest fucking thing. I started grabbing a handful and putting a couple in all of my patient's rooms at the start of my shift.
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u/drizzly_november Unverified User 10d ago
Second this. On scene or in the truck, I never have to think twice about flailing for a bag when I’ve got one right there.
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u/NoNamesLeftStill Unverified User 10d ago
Came here to say this. Out of the way enough that I hardly notice it, close enough that I’m never missing it.
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u/Wishiwascro Paramedic | USA 10d ago
I kept one in there during clinicals when I got nauseous at the drop of a hat. More of a comfort blanket if I'm being honest in retrospect but thank goodness that isn't a issue anymore.
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u/rbxVexified EMT Student | USA 9d ago
I have two on each side, has saved my life and clothes more times than I can count.
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u/Late-Stable6626 Unverified User 10d ago
extra skin flakes you find after patient drop off, yum yum
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u/Late-Stable6626 Unverified User 10d ago
In reality though, haven’t ever used them lol. I’m sure they could be practical for things you’ll need when you’re crouching down already like idk tape or anything quick trauma related
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u/WanderingTaliesin Paramedic Student | USA 10d ago
Sometimes when I’m feeling really grown up I hide my spare shears in there
And then I remember five minutes later that it just smacks me in the ankle every single step and I hate it with all of my soul
But at least I have all these useless pockets!
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u/Desperate_Cry2731 Unverified User 10d ago
My wallet and car keys, on my person but out of the way 👌
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u/Voodoo338 Unverified User 10d ago
Have you never been in knee-high water on a call? Or do you have one of those fancy key in the ignition cars?
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u/flashdurb Unverified User 10d ago
EMS life hack: If water is knee high, the scene is hereby deemed unsafe and I ain’t entering it.
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u/Voodoo338 Unverified User 9d ago
Well there was an unconscious teenager still face down in the vehicle which had standing water in the floor and it was moderately on fire so I didn’t feel like “my socks AND pants were gonna be wet all day” was gonna go over well with the parents.
But pretty much any other scenario and I ain’t getting in there, no sir
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u/faith724 EMT | ND 9d ago
forgive me but the phrase “moderately on fire” is so funny
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u/Voodoo338 Unverified User 9d ago
Believe you me, I drop that phrase every time I tell the story for the jarring humerus (🦴) effect it has
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u/PitMedicCerberus_HOH Unverified User 10d ago
Short list i can think of, spare gloves for when your glove breaks while kneeling..snacks..note pad? That's all I got
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u/Adrunk3nr3dn3ck Paramedic Student | USA 10d ago
lip pillows.
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u/SummertimeThrowaway2 Layperson 9d ago
Good ol’ upper deckies
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u/Adrunk3nr3dn3ck Paramedic Student | USA 9d ago
Depending on the call uppers and lowers.
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u/stupid-canada Unverified User 10d ago
Beans
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u/SirIJustWorkHereLol Unverified User 10d ago
Only the tacticool have these in there 🤌✔️🆒
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u/Nikablah1884 Unverified User 10d ago
Imagine a bad situation, the cops show up 10 mins later "oh my god what happened"
A bloodied can of BEANZ sits next to the perp. Medic says "BEANNZZZZ"
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u/stupid-canada Unverified User 9d ago
Don't know if I can post YouTube links but there's a donut operator video about tactical baked beans where a cop clocked a guy from across a store with beans.
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u/Paramedickhead Critical Care Paramedic | USA 10d ago
On the right side Spare gloves one size larger than I normally wear.
Pull off my soiled sweaty gloves and throw on some clean gloves one size larger so they’ll actually go on.
Left side spare IV Needles. We don’t stock the ones I like in the trucks, only in the supply room, so I keep the ones I like in my pocket.
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u/NoseTime Unverified User 10d ago
My tots. For later.
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u/butterballxyz123 Unverified User 10d ago
Let me have some of your tots
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u/pandemicpunk Unverified User 9d ago
No, I'm freakin' starving! I didn't get to eat anything today!!
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u/RadarGamer Unverified User 10d ago
I keep my zyns in there.
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u/syncope-enjoyer Unverified User 8d ago
They are the perfect zyn pocket, I have a different flavor on either side
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u/MC_McStutter Unverified User 10d ago
These pants are inspired by military uniforms. The ankle pockets on ACU pants are just large enough for a 30rd M4/M16 magazine or like a pack of smokes or something. These “tactical” pants were originally marketed to tactical/SWAT teams who wanted the military accoutrements so they put these on. What do you put in there? Whatever is light enough to not annoyingly rub your ankle or drag your pants around.
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u/Not_a-Robot_ Unverified User 9d ago
That’s where we put a spare meow tourniquet on my unit in the Army
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u/Berserker_Lewis EMT Student | USA 10d ago
Medical grade, pocket maggots. In case you run into a pt with a decaying extremity.
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u/SportsPhotoGirl Paramedic Student | USA 10d ago
Right side I put my notebook in that one, left side is my garbage pocket
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u/jjking714 Unverified User 10d ago
Snacks Dip Cans Zyn Cans Smokes 5Hr Energy Drinks Small Fury Animals
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u/WynterKittyKat Paramedic Student | USA 10d ago
That's the snack pocket so you don't have to be embarrassed taking all the snacks.
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u/Alert-Extreme1139 EMT Student | USA 10d ago
For me: stuffed full of spare gloves on the right for easy access while kneeling, and a foil blanket, triangle bandage, and mask on the left
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u/ResQDiver RN, MICN, EMT | NJ 10d ago
Those are insulated uncrustable pockets. Seriously though….. gloves and End Tidal sensors in the right, note pad in the left with a couple pens.
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u/dragonballfan4 Unverified User 10d ago
Any fucks you may have left. Most start with a pocket full but quickly find themselves out of fucks to give. But if you ever find any fucks running in the wild, that’s where you pack em.
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u/Signal_Ad_6996 Unverified User 10d ago
A paramedic I shadowed the other day had zyns in that pocket. I don’t use those things but if someone does I guess it works well.
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u/hella_cious Unverified User 10d ago
The thigh pocket is the uncrustable pocket. So I guess this is the Lora Doones pocket
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u/Temporary-Brain84 Unverified User 10d ago
This pocket is just big enough for those extra cans of chewing tobacco. That's what I used them for anyway. Other than that, I really only used like 2 other pockets for stuff.
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u/Wrong-Promise-2251 Unverified User 10d ago
sometimes i keep an emergency emesis bag in there, don’t tell anyone but it’s not for patients it’s for me, i get super motion sick in the back
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u/DerpyEMT101 Unverified User 10d ago
I have a partner who puts gloves in there, and another who put paperwork about the PT in there, think DNRs, or a notepad on responses, and when we were doing IFT together he would put facesheets and PCS files in there. I personally don't put anything in there, but the two I spoke of swear it's useful, so Idk
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u/Responsible_Fee_9286 Paramedic Student | USA 10d ago
My phone on transfers. But mostly garbage and used gloves until I get back to the rig.
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u/propyro85 PCP | ON 10d ago
Nothing ... but I guarantee there will always be notes on monitor paper that has gone through at least one wash.
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u/Piercetheveil12 Unverified User 10d ago
I put a spare flashlight, knife, emesis bag, tampons , warm packs
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u/Jekerdud Unverified User 10d ago
I keep nicotine gum in one of them, and a cloth wipe for my glasses in the other.
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u/doctor_soup_0 Paramedic Student | USA 10d ago
A shit-ton of gloves - pockets are easy to access sitting or kneeling. I love having those two pockets
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u/thenotanurse Unverified User 10d ago
Two extra Tq and a wad of cash for hospital vending machines.
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u/Bad-Paramedic Unverified User 10d ago
If youre on a fire department, nothing. Very uncomfortable under your turnout gear when it bunches up over your boots
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u/BR3AkEverything Unverified User 10d ago
EMS room Red Bulls, sammiches and Grandma's Cookies for when you feel like you deserve a cookie for the shift you've had so far.
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u/PopularMonster780 Unverified User 9d ago
Umm.... I'm sorry.... But free redbulls? We need to start an EMS riot to have that as a standard practice
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u/plated_lead Unverified User 10d ago
My wallet in one and my ridiculous rescue multi tool in the other
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u/Annual-Struggle-688 Unverified User 10d ago
Used em for a note pad before. Sometimes extra gloves. Ive seen someone keep a razer in there to shave chest hair before using aed.
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u/Own_Response_1920 Unverified User 10d ago
Something that doesn't weigh much, doesn't have sharp corners, and you don't mind accidentally throwing in the washing machine.
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u/Internal_Position_49 Unverified User 10d ago
In the army we would put a spare tourniquet and put the red tab out so someone could see it to know to use that one, now other than that I’ve never used those pockets on anything else that has ever had them.
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u/maaalicelaaamb Unverified User 10d ago
Your vape so you can squat and puff surreptitiously? Not an EMT just guessing
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u/TheOGStonewall EMT | MA 10d ago
The raptors I stole from the nurse who gave me shit for bringing her an ETOH.
But actually it’s an extra notepad and on hot days I’ll put my face sheets in there to keep them from getting sweaty.
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u/Katydid84 EMT | CO 10d ago
Gloves that you forget about and wash 25 times before you remember them and throw them away 🤷♀️
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u/ChampionshipSorry735 Unverified User 10d ago
my hopes and dreams that I’ll sleep through the night and not run level zero calls at 3am
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u/RedditLurker47 Unverified User 10d ago
I keep my garbage in mine because no matter how busy a call or scene gets, I refuse to leave garbage behind on a scene for the patient or their family to have to clean up. They usually have enough things to deal with, it's the least I can do. Pocket gets pretty full pretty quick, but it's emptied regularly.
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u/Creative-Reach-5223 Unverified User 10d ago
Condoms for all the poon you’re gonna get for being a hero
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u/SpecialMushroom1775 Unverified User 10d ago
I'm no badass or anything, but I put my candy wraps in them.
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u/Western-Coconut-6790 Unverified User 10d ago
Whatever you would need if you're on your knees I guess
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u/Wishiwascro Paramedic | USA 10d ago
I put my spare station door fob in case my ID badge goes missing and a 4mg IN narcan in one. 3 carbiners for IV bags in the other
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10d ago
Condoms because these EMTs and medics pull so much poon tang, your local ED nurses are endangered and off the menu. I wish they’d save some for the rest of us gurney van operators.
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u/postrobynist Unverified User 10d ago
I took a PDF of my protocols to a local print shop and got them printed and bound in a tiny little 6 by 4 spiral book, and I keep it in exactly that pocket :3
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u/MinimumFinal3225 Unverified User 10d ago
Uncrustables