Bulldog Loadouts: First Responder Bag

Then, Lt P and I orientating
ourselves to our new location.

Capt P, the American PA I worked with in a NATO camp during my most recent deployment to Afghanistan went to Yale University. The Yale football team is the Yale Bulldogs. In an homage to his varsity team, all the load list for medical gear were prefaced with the 'Bulldog" identifier. This is a series of articles on specific loadouts that we packed to support distinct roles within our camp emergency plan. There will be no coverage of the emergency plan or mass casualty plan in this series as the camp is still operational. The gear and supplies used were limited to the supply chain and represent best possible practice at that current time.

First Responder Medical Bag

The intention of the First Responder layout was to provide basic life support (BLS) within the confines of the camp. It was NOT for missions outside the wire. There is no IV access of fluids in this bag. The first responding medic responsibilities within the camp's emergency plan was to triage, provide BLS and direct movement of casualties to the designated Casualty Collection Point (CCP).

Outside of First Responder Bag

1. Trauma Shears on retractor attached to bag

2. Bag Label and 9-Liner

3. Lid Upper Mesh Pocket

• 5 Sterile Kerlix Gauze
• 2 3” ACE wraps
• 2 6” Ace wraps
• 5 NATO casualty tags

4. Lid Lower Mesh Pocket

• 4 Combat Gauze™
• 2 4” CoTCCC/CCCWG approved dressing
• 1 6” ” CoTCCC/CCCWG approved dressing
• 1 OALES Modular Bandage™

Elastic Organizer/Pouch Divisions

• 3”tape
• 1”tape
• 2 HALO Chest Seals™
• Sharps container
• 2 OPAs
• Cric Kit
• 10 pairs of Nitrile Gloves
• Ammonia tabs
• Small bottle Hand Sanitizer
• 5 Tongue Depressors
• 4  CoTCCC/CCCWG approved Decompression Needle
• 2 Safety Scalpels
• 2 NPAs
• 2 Surgical Lubrication pouches
• Red Glowstick
• Pen or Sharpie™
• Forceps/tweezers
• Penlight
• 5 CoTCCC/CCCWG approved Tourniquet
• 2 Cold Packs
• Zipper Pouch (under Elastic Organizer/Pouch Divsions)
• 10 1”x 3” Bandaids
• 5 2”x 4” Bandaids
• 10 Double Antibiotic Ointment pouches
• 10 Alcohol/Provo-iodine swabs
• 3 1ml syringes w/needle
• CARPUJECT™
• 5 3” x 8” Non-Adherent dressings
• 20 800mg Ibuprofen tabs
• 3 Pill Packs (800mg Ibuprofen, 1000mg Acetaminophen) 

5. Airway

• King LT ™ size 4
• King LT ™ size 5
• CPR mask w/ O² nipple

6. Lower  Mesh Pouch

• CoTCCC/CCCWG approved Bag Valve Mask (BVM)
• CoTCCC/CCCWG approved Airway Suction device

7. Lower Mesh Pouch

• 2 CoTCCC/CCCWG approved Abdominal Dressings
• 10 2”x 2” sterile gauze
• 4 Triangular bandages

8. Upper Mesh Pouch

• SAM Pelvic Sling™

Within main pouch area:

• 2 BLIZZARD Survival Blankets™
• 2 SAM splints™
• CoTCCC/CCCWG approved C-Collar

The choice of the Blackhawk STOMP 2 was logistical in nature. We had quite a few which allowed some uniformity in layout. There are a great many other bags we would have preferred but they were unavailable through the current supply chain.

The concept of this layout was simple triage, life-limb-eye interventions and rapid movement to the CCP for higher level care.

Take Care Out There