EMS BLANKETS FOR EVERY EMS SCENARIO

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For whenever patients or equipment need to be covered during recovery and transportation, the blanket continues to do its menial job function and maybe one of the most underappreciated items in the EMS gear bag. Providing functionality and convenience to EMS providers, responders, paramedics firefighters, or EMT’s, these brave professionals must act quickly and mitigate trauma and comfort. Cost is always a consideration and when only basic functionality is needed, economy or disposable bedding options are the preferred choice.

Not only do blankets provide warmth, they also protect patients from further injury and are commonly used when people suffer emotional, psychological, or physical hardship during traumatic or catastrophic events. A warm blanket creates a sense of well-being, which can make a real difference in a patient’s perception of their situation.

Once injuries are managed and patients are secured, it is critical to keep patients from succumbing to the trauma triad of death – hypothermia, acidosis and coagulopathy which has a staggering mortality rate of 50%. The treatment protocol for this triple threat requires EMT’s to prevent further heat loss and support the patient's core body temperature.

EMS or medical blankets play an important role in providing comfort, warmth and improving patient outcomes when it is needed the most. Their light weight and compact size before unfolding and price points make EMS Medical Blankets highly portable and ideal when space, weight and budgets are of concern.

• Emergency situations tend to have a traumatic effect on the persons involved. This is when the lowly blanket is often employed to:
• Provide comfort for patients experiencing trauma.
• Help prevent shock and rapid cooling.
• Reduce hypothermia risks and wound complications.
• Give cover against the elements including rain and snow.
• Create a privacy barrier for patients during transport or treatment.
• Assist with patient positioning by providing extra padding or rolled up for support.

Types of EMS Blankets

Designed for different uses and available in a variety of materials, it may be difficult to decide which medical blanket to use in which circumstance. EMS blankets are available in different materials and different weights. An important characteristic shared across these different types is that these blankets are typically individually packaged for single use, ensuring each patient gets a clean new blanket during treatment.

Medical Blankets: Materials and Uses

For EMS personnel, the degree of success to which they can stabilize their patients and prevent certain medical conditions may depend on their choice of medical blankets. Comprised of different materials, these simple tools help you prioritize your patients and provide immediate warmth, comfort and protection. The Graham Medical® portfolio of medical blankets includes:

Comfort1® Blankets

The +Graham Comfort1® Blankets come in either a fleece or polyester material making them perfect for extended use or travel. The gray polyester quality and white Elite blankets consist of a soft polyester mix that is soft and warm. The highly durable blue Polar Fleece material is extra thick and offers extra comfort and warmth, especially in cold weather climates. All Comfort1® Blankets can be pre-warmed in a blanket warmer up to 150º F.

Visiblanket® Blankets

The highly visible outer yellow shell color of the +Graham Medical® Visiblanket® ensures that trauma patients are easily identified so they receive priority attention and provides a level of warmth with its poly/Airlaid or poly/tissue construction of one or two layers. The polyester shell also provides protection against fluid and wind while the Airlaid or tissue lining offers a softer feel and traps body heat.

Mylar Hypothermia Blankets

Some situations require you to provide trauma patients a significant level of warmth and protection against the environment and hypothermia. Mylar blankets, which consist of heat-reflective thin silver sheeting, reflects the patient’s body heat and keeps the person as warm. The space age material also provides shade and serves to reflect the sun's heat on a hot day. The ultra-lightweight of the foil-like material also make storage and transport easy making these +Graham Medical® Mylar Blankets ideal first aid blankets for winter sports injury, vehicle accidents, marine accidents and winter-related fire injuries.

Drying the patient and wrapping them in a warm and comfortable blanket can avoid hypothermia and other conditions. Use EMS blankets effectively to provide the best possible pre-hospital treatment for your patients. These generously- sized blankets come individually packaged, are affordable and sold by the case.

EMS workers typically stock a variety of different blankets to meet patient needs. Light and highly compact mylar blankets fit well into mobile treatment kits, whereas warm fleece blankets may be stocked in the ambulance for easier storage. There are also multiple weights available for each type of material. Climate and location may also play a role in blanket choice for emergency professionals.

From transport to hospital,  EMS blankets can prevent further temperature drop and rewarm the patient. MDS offers a large variety of single-use medical blankets to meet your medical and emergency needs. Start stocking your emergency medical team with high quality products that protect and comfort your patients. All you need to do is just tap the link and

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