Elle of Oakland

Street Medic Supply: What to Pack & What to Wear.

Please keep in mind that this is intended to be a basic primer and not an exhaustive list. While it is recommended to carry all items on this list, there may be additional things you want to add based on your expertise and ability. Certain things may be marked “optional,” dependent on level of risk associate with your action, but it is definitely recommended to have those items as well.

Personal Supplies:

• Energy bars (Cliff Bars, Powerbars, etc.)
• Drinking water
• Gatorade or other electrolyte beverage (optional)
• Phone numbers:
  • Other medics and/or a medic dispatch
    
  • Local NLG
  • Fire Dispatch
• Cell phone
• Ear plugs (optional, for protection against LRAD)
  

 
Basic First Aid Supplies:

• Adhesive bandages in various shapes/sizes
• Sterile gauze sponges in various shapes/sizes
• Gauze bandage rolls
• Medical tape
• Instant cold packs
• Ace bandage rolls/rolled self-adhesive bandages
• Antiseptic swabs/wipes
• Gloves (ideally non-latex: nitrile, PVC, etc.)
• Sterile saline solution (10cc preloads, if available)
• Antibiotic cream (optional)
• Arnica gel (optional)

Tear Gas Preparation (optional):

• Gas mask with shatter-proof lenses -OR-
• Shatter-resistant goggles that SEAL and do not fog -AND-
• Industrial respirator (must filter heavy chemicals)
• Squirt bottle or squeeze bottle containing LAW (see note)

A note about LAW:

LAW, or Liquid Antacid & Water, is typically a 50/50 mixture of Maalox and water. When purchasing liquid antacid, make sure it does not contain ALCOHOL. Unflavored varieties are preferred. Name-brand antacid works best, as it contains the highest concentrations of aluminium hydroxide and/or magnesium hydroxide. Another option is to use a 60/40 mixture of water and milk of magnesia, which has the highest concentration of magnesium hydroxide, and is less likely to contain any potentially harmful ingredients. LAW can be used as an eye wash to neutralize tear gas (and pepper spray), and can also be gargled and swallowed to help those who have inhaled tear gas.

Attire:

Be sure to wear long sleeves and long pants. Lightweight synthetic fabrics (not things like fleece) are best, as they will not absorb chemicals (like tear gas). It is not recommended to wear sunscreen, body oils, or lotions, as these can cause chemicals to adhere to your skin. Similarly, it is advised that people not wear contact lenses, as they can trap pepper spray or tear gas in your eyes.

My next post will delve a bit more deeply into Street Medic attire, so stay tuned!