U.S. patent application number 13/026693 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for first-aid treatment kit and resupply system.
This patent application is currently assigned to North American Rescue, LLC. Invention is credited to Robert Miller.
Application Number | 20110204114 13/026693 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44368056 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110204114 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Robert |
August 25, 2011 |
First-Aid Treatment Kit And Resupply System
Abstract
A first-aid treatment and resupply system comprising: a resupply
bag having a plurality of resupply bag system connectors; a
plurality of resupply containers removably attached to the interior
of the resupply bag; a personal bag having a plurality of personal
bag system connectors wherein the personal bag removably attached
to the resupply bag using the resupply bag connectors and the
personal bag connectors; a plurality of personal containers
removably attached to the interior of the personal bag; a drop-down
mount removably attached to the personal bag and having a leg strap
attached to the drop-down mount; and an immediate response bag
removably attached to the drop-down mount so that the resupply bag,
personal bag, drop-down mount and immediate response are all
attached as a system for transportation and are disconnected for
deployment and use by responding personnel.
Inventors: |
Miller; Robert;
(Simpsonville, SC) |
Assignee: |
North American Rescue, LLC
Greer
SC
|
Family ID: |
44368056 |
Appl. No.: |
13/026693 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61303827 |
Feb 12, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/582 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/06 20130101; A45F
3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/582 |
International
Class: |
A45F 4/00 20060101
A45F004/00 |
Claims
1. A first-aid treatment and resupply system comprising: a resupply
bag having a plurality of resupply bag system connectors; a
plurality of resupply containers removably attached to the interior
of said resupply bag containing medical supplies items taken from
the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items,
airway management items, breathing management items, hypothermia
prevention items, and any combination thereof; a plurality of
resupply bag system connectors securing members attached to said
resupply bag for stowing said resupply bag system connectors when
they are not in use; a personal bag having a plurality of personal
bag system connectors wherein said personal bag removably attached
to said resupply bag using said resupply bag connectors and said
personal bag connectors; a plurality of personal containers
removably attached to the interior of said personal bag containing
medical supply items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage
control and vascular items, airway management items, breathing
management items, hypothermia prevention items, and any combination
thereof; a plurality of personal bag system container securing
members attached to said personal bag for stowing said personal bag
system container when they are not in use; a drop-down mount
removably attached to said personal bag and having a leg strap
attached to said drop-down mount; an immediate response bag
removably attached to said drop-down mount containing medical items
taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular
items, airway management, breathing management, and any combination
thereof; and, whereas said resupply bag, personal bag, drop-down
mount and immediate response are all attached as a system for
transportation and are disconnected for deployment and use by
responding personnel.
2. The system of claim 1 including: a backpack yoke attached to
said personal bag having a stowed position and a deployed position;
a backpack yoke pocket defined in said personal bag for receiving
said backpack yoke when it is in said stowed position; and, a
plurality of yoke connectors carried by said personal bag for
securing said backpack yoke to said personal bag when said backpack
yoke is in said deployed position.
3. The system of claim 2 including: a plurality of yoke connector
pockets defined in said personal bag for receiving said yoke
connectors when said backpack yoke is in said stowed position.
4. The system of claim 2 including a plurality of backpack yoke
reinforcement straps carried by said backpack yoke and removably
attached to said personal bag.
5. The system of claim 2 including: said backpack yoke is removably
attached to said personal bag; a personal bag deployed position
included in said deployed position wherein said backpack yoke is
removably attached to said personal bag; and, a resupply bag
deployed position included in said deployed position wherein said
backpack yoke is removably attached to said resupply bag.
6. The system of claim 1 including: a carrying assembly connector
attached to said personal bag; and, a shoulder strap removably
attached to said personal bag.
7. The system of claim 6 including: a waist support connector
attached to said personal bag; and, a waist strap removably
attached to said personal bag.
8. The system of claim 6 including: a connection and a tightening
end included in said shoulder strap; molle-type webbing attached to
said personal bag; and wherein said connection end is attached to
said molle-type webbing, and a middle portion of said shoulder
strap is connected to said carrying assembly connector; and, said
shoulder strap is tightened when said tightening end is pulled.
9. The system of claim 1 including: a top personal bag system
connector attached to the top of said personal bag; and, a
drop-down mount system connector attached to said drop-down mount
so that said personal bag, said drop-down mount and said immediate
response bag are connected together as a secondary unit.
10. The system of claim 1 including: a top personal bag connector
attached to the top of said personal bag; and, an immediate
response bag system connector attached to said immediate response
bag so that said personal bag and said immediate response bag are
connected together as a secondary unit.
11. The system of claim 1 including: a resupply system connector
attached to said resupply bag; and, a backpack strap having a lower
end attached to said resupply bag and an upper end removably
connected to said resupply system connector.
12. The system of claim 11 including a resupply storage area
defined in said resupply bag for receiving said backpack strap when
said backpack strap is stowed.
13. The system of claim 11 including a backpack yoke removably
attached to said resupply system connector and carried by said
backpack strap.
14. The system of claim 1 including a hinge incorporated in a back
wall of said personal bag so that when said personal bag is worn by
an individual, said personal bag conforms to the individual's
physical shape.
15. A method of transporting and resupply first-aid items to
medical personnel comprising: providing a resupply bag having a
plurality of containers removably attached to the interior of said
resupply bag containing medical supply items taken from the group
consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway
management items, breathing management items, hypothermia
prevention items, and any combination thereof; attaching a personal
bag to said resupply bag having a plurality of personal bag
containers containing medical supply items taken from the group
consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway
management items, breathing management items, hypothermia
prevention items, and any combination thereof; attaching an
immediate response bag to said personal bag containing medical
items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and
vascular items, airway management, breathing management, and any
combination thereof; transporting said attached resupply, personal
and immediate response bag from an assembly location to a
deployment location as a connected unit; detaching said resupply
bag from said personal bag and said immediate response bag; stowing
said resupply bag for subsequent use; and, outfitting medical
personnel with said personal bag and said immediate response
bag.
16. The method of claim 15 including: arranging said resupply bag
containers in said resupply bag in a configuration similar to the
arrangement of said personal bag containers in said personal bag so
that a resupply bag container can be moved from its location in
said resupply bag to a corresponding location in said personal bag
while maintaining the arrangement of personal bag containers.
17. The method of claim 15 including: detaching said personal bag
from said immediate response bag; deploying a backpack yoke
attached to said personal bag allowing the medical personnel to
carry said personal bag; and, attaching said immediate response bag
to the gear of said medical personnel.
18. The method of claim 17 including attaching said immediate
response bag to the body armor generally at the medical personnel's
chest area.
19. The method of claim 17 including attaching said immediate
response bag to a drop-down mount attached to the gear and thigh of
the medical personnel.
20. The method of claim 15 including: using medical items taken
from a personal bag container from said personal bag for treating
an injured individual; and, removing said personal bag container
from its location interior to said personal bag; and, replacing
said personal bag container with a respective resupply container
taken from said resupply bag so that said personal bag container is
resupplied after use.
21. The method of claim 15 including: using medical items taken
from said immediate response bag for treating an injured
individual; and, replacing said immediate response bag from a
second immediate response bag taken from said resupply bag.
22. A first-aid treatment and resupply system comprising: a
resupply bag having a hemorrhage control and vascular container,
airway management container and breathing management container
arranged in a predetermined configuration and removably connected
to said resupply bag; a personal bag having a hemorrhage control
and vascular container, an airway management container, and
breathing management container arranged in said predetermined
configuration removably connected to said personal bag; and, an
immediate response bag having medical items used for hemorrhage
control and airway management removably attached to said personal
bag so that said resupply bag, personal bag and immediate response
bag can be transported and stored as a system.
23. The system of claim 22 including a drop-down mount carried by
said immediate response bag.
24. The system of claim 22 including a backpack yoke removably
attached to said resupply bag.
25. The system of claim 24 including a backpack yoke pocket defined
in said personal bag for receiving said backpack yoke is at least
partially detached from said personal bag and stowed.
26. The system of claim 24 including a plurality of backpack yoke
reinforcement straps carried by said backpack yoke and removably
attached to said personal bag.
27. The system of claim 22 including: backpack straps connected to
said resupply bag at a distal end and removably connected to said
resupply bag at a proximate end; and, resupply storage areas
defined in said resupply bag for receiving said backpack straps
when said back straps are disconnected at said proximate end when
said backpack straps are stowed.
28. The system of claim 22 including an accessory strap carried by
said personal bag.
29. The system of claim 22 including: a leash port defined in said
immediate response bag; a scissor leash carried by said immediate
response bag having a distal portion carried internal to said
immediate response bag and a proximate end projecting through said
leash port external to said immediate response bag; and,
30. The system of claim 29 including scissors attached to said
proximate end of said scissor leash and carried by said immediate
response bag.
31. The system of claim 22 including an internal pocket included in
said personal bag containing personal protection medical items.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application No. 61/303,827 that was filed on Feb. 12, 2010 and has
the same title as the present application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed to a first-aid treatment kit and
resupply system and more particularly, to a field first-aid
treatment kit and resupply system for treating and resupplying
medical personnel in the field and transporting medical supplies to
the field.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] First responders, including combat medics, play a critical
role in mitigating preventable death. Their ability to reach and
treat injured personnel within moments of injury, especially
injuries from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other items
that result in major trauma or penetrating injuries, can mean the
difference between life and death. Proper training is only part of
needs for properly field treatment; the first responder also needs
the right equipment to cope with these serious injuries.
[0004] For first responders, it is critical that they be equipped
with the proper supplies for treating injured personnel. The most
critical supplies include nasopharyngeal airway, supraglottic
airway, cricothyroidotomy, suction device, chest seal,
decompression needle, bag valve mask, emergency trauma dressing,
combat application tourniquet, gauze, hemostatic bandage,
compression wrap, splint and shears on a leash. Typically, these
materials are placed in a first-aid bag such as the EMS Rapid
Deployment Kit offered by North American Rescue, LLC.
[0005] One significant disadvantage for the first responder is that
the first-aid bag needs to be fairly large, thereby making it
unwieldy. When carrying these bags, typically in the back of the
first responder, such as the combat medic, the combat medic is
easily identified. This causes the first responder to be targeted
by the enemy because their loss is devastating to a unit.
[0006] Additionally, the resupply of these first-aid kits is
shipped to the battlefield. Many times the kit, resupply portion
and even the individual items are separated in shipping so that the
combat medic is not provided with the critical items that are
needed for the first responder.
[0007] Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a
first-aid kit that does not distinguish the first responder,
particularly the combat medic, from the other individual on
scene.
[0008] It is an object of this invention to provide a first-aid kit
that can ship integrated to prevent the loss of one or more
components of the first-aid kit or the resupply items from being
separated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The objects of the present invention are achieved by
providing a first-aid treatment and resupply system comprising: a
resupply bag having a plurality of resupply bag system connectors;
a plurality of resupply containers removably attached to the
interior of the resupply bag containing medical supplies items
taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular
items, airway management items, breathing management items,
hypothermia prevention items, and any combination thereof; a
plurality of resupply bag system connectors securing members
attached to the resupply bag for stowing the resupply bag system
connectors when they are not in use; a personal bag having a
plurality of personal bag system connectors wherein the personal
bag removably attached to the resupply bag using the resupply bag
connectors and the personal bag connectors; a plurality of personal
containers removably attached to the interior of the personal bag
containing medical supply items taken from the group consisting of
hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management items,
breathing management items, hypothermia prevention items, and any
combination thereof; a plurality of personal bag system container
securing members attached to the personal bag for stowing the
personal bag system container when they are not in use; a drop-down
mount removably attached to the personal bag and having a leg strap
attached to the drop-down mount; an immediate response bag
removably attached to the drop-down mount containing medical items
taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular
items, airway management, breathing management, and any combination
thereof; and, whereas the resupply bag, personal bag, drop-down
mount and immediate response are all attached as a system for
transportation and are disconnected for deployment and use by
responding personnel.
[0010] The invention can also include a method of transporting and
resupply first-aid items to medical personnel comprising: providing
a resupply bag having a plurality of containers removably attached
to the interior of the resupply bag containing medical supply items
taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular
items, airway management items, breathing management items,
hypothermia prevention items, and any combination thereof;
attaching a personal bag to the resupply bag having a plurality of
personal bag containers containing medical supply items taken from
the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items,
airway management items, breathing management items, hypothermia
prevention items, and any combination thereof; attaching an
immediate response bag to the personal bag containing medical items
taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular
items, airway management, breathing management, and any combination
thereof; transporting the attached resupply, personal and immediate
response bag from an assembly location to a deployment location as
a connected unit; detaching the resupply bag from the personal bag
and the immediate response bag; stowing the resupply bag for
subsequent use; and, outfitting medical personnel with the personal
bag and the immediate response bag.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] This invention will more readily be understood by
referencing the following drawings:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention;
[0016] FIGS. 5A through 5C are aspects of the invention;
[0017] FIGS. 6A through 6D are aspects of the invention;
[0018] FIGS. 7A through 7E are aspects of the invention; and,
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, the first-aid treatment and
resupply system shown generally at A is illustrated. A resupply bag
10 is carried by a personal bag 12. Personal bag 12 also carries
immediate response bag 13. The personal bag is attached to the
resupply bag through a plurality of system connectors shown as 16a
through 16c. The immediate response bag is carried by a drop-down
mount 18 which is carried by the personal bag. The resupply bag
includes a handle 20. When integrated, the resupply bag, personal
bag, immediate response bag and drop-down mount can be carried,
stored and secured as a single system so that during transport and
storage, the individual components of the system are not separated
and will not be lost. This insures that the items critical to the
first responder will all be delivered to the location where they
are needed in a compact easy to carry system. Further, the personal
bag, drop-down mount and immediate response bag can be connected as
a secondary unit. Therefore, the first-aid treatment and resupply
system can be transported as a unit. For deployment, the resupply
bag can be detached from the system and either individually
carried, stowed on a vehicle or otherwise placed aside for
subsequent use. The personal bag, drop-down mount and immediate
response bag can be provided to a medical professional as a
secondary unit.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, resupply bag is shown in further
detail. A portion of the system connector assembly is shown as 16a
through 16e. As shown, system connector assembly portions 16a
through 16e are the male end of a quick-release clip. A plurality
of system connector securing members, such as shown as 22 allows
the portion of the system connector assembly to be secured to the
resupply bag preventing the portion of the system connector
assembly from catching on wayward objects, prevents entanglements
and allows for proper stowing of this portion of the securing
connector assembly. A zipper 24 secures the resupply bag in a
closed position for transportation and storage.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the interior of the resupply
bag is shown in more detail. The resupply bag, when in the open
position, allow access to the front section 24 and the back section
26 of the bag. A hinge 36 allows the inside of the front section
and back section to be exposed when the resupply bag is in the open
position. The front section contains a hook and loop fastener
system for securing removable containers to the inside of the front
section. One portion of the hook and loop system 28a is carried by
the inside of the front section while the removable containers
contain the other potion of the hook and loop fasteners 28b. This
allows the removable containers to be detached from the front cover
for use.
[0023] In one embodiment, the placement of removable containers is
identical to the configuration of the personal bag so that resupply
of the personal bag simply involves moving the removable container
from the resupply bag to the personal bag and placing it in the
same position in the personal bag as it was in the resupply bag.
This greatly simplifies the resupply process and is significantly
advantageous to having to resupply through providing individual
parts.
[0024] In one embodiment, there are a plurality of removable
containers 30a through 30d. One container can be designed for
hemorrhage control and vascular access and can contain medical
items such as tourniquets, C-A-T tourniquets, emergency dressing
gauze, s-rolled gauze, abdominal dressing, combat gauze, saline
lock kits, compression wraps, tactical compression wraps, IV
constricting band, sharps container and any combination thereof. In
one embodiment, there can be a plurality of hemorrhage control
removable containers since hemorrhage control can assist in
preventing a significant majority of preventable combat deaths.
Having a plurality of hemorrhage control removable containers
allows several personnel to each use a hemorrhage control removable
container at the same time as they can be removed from the personal
bag and distributed to the treating professional. This
comprehensive set of hemorrhage and vascular access supplies equip
the Warfighter/Operator, Tactical Healthcare Professional and
Prehospital Care Provider with the vital tools to effectively
stabilize a patient in the critical minutes after sustaining a
wound.
[0025] A plurality of airway management removable containers 32a
and 32b are included in the resupply bag. Items contained in the
removable container include supraglothic airway kit,
cricothyroidotomy kit, surgical cricothyroidotomy kit,
nasopharyngeal airway tube, airway tube lubricant, tactical suction
device, tracheal hook, and any combination thereof. These removable
containers are placed in the resupply bag in the same configuration
as the personal bag to simplify resupply of the personal bag.
[0026] A breathing management container 34 can also be included in
the resupply bag that contains items for breathing management.
Items contained in the breathing management container include
needle decompression for treating tension pneumothorax, chest seal
for treating penetrating chest wounds, and any combination thereof.
In one embodiment, airway management and breathing management items
can be combined in one container.
[0027] Further, a hypothermia prevention and management kit can be
included at location 36 or other container and can be removed to
prevent hypothermia during transport of the injured individual.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 4A, the personal bag is shown in more
detail. A reinforced hinge is located at the bottom of the personal
bag so that when the personal bag is in the open position, the
front and rear side of the personal bag remain connected. PALS
(personal attachment ladder system) webbing 38 can be attached to
the outside of the personal bag that provides for attaching smaller
equipment onto the load bearing platform of the personal bag. A
personal bag zipper 40 is attached to secure the front and rear
side of the personal bag in the closed position. A utility pocket
42 can be included on the outside of the front side of the personal
bag and secured by a zipper.
[0029] The personal bag can also be secured in the closed position
through security connectors 44a through 44d so as to secure the
personal bag in the closed position even when the zipper fails as
shown in FIG. 4B. In one embodiment, one portion of the security
connector, 44a and 44b, also serve as one portion of the system
connector assembly so that this portion can be used to secure the
personal bag to the resupply bag as shown in FIG. 1. When a portion
of the security connector is not being used, it can be stored under
securing connector member 46a as shown in FIG. 4A. It should be
noted that securing members 46a through 46e secure the respective
portion of the security connector.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 5A, the top rear outside of the personal
bag is shown. Portions of carrying assembly connectors 48a and 48b
are attached to the personal bag. The carrying assembly connectors
can attach to corresponding portions of the carrying assembly
carried by body armor of the individual that wishes to wear the
personal bag. Alternatively, carrying assembly connectors 48a and
48b can be connected to shoulder strap 50 allowing the personal bag
to be worn by an individual as shown in FIG. 5D.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 5B, the shoulder strap includes a
tightening end 52 and connection end 54. The connection end of the
shoulder strap can attach to the PALS (molle) systems of the body
armor, vest, clothing, or other gear of the individual. A connector
carried by the shoulder strap can attach to the personal bag
through the securing connector. The strap, between the connection
end and the tightening end, is connected to the carrying assembly
connector. When the individual then pulls the tightening end, the
shoulder strap tightens and secures the personal bag to the back of
the individual.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 5C, a waist strap 58 is connected to the
waist support connector 55 and therefore secured to the personal
bag. The waist strap, like the shoulder strap, can be secured to
the PALS of the individual's body armor, vest, or other clothing
and when the pull tab is pulled, the personal bag is tightened
around onto the back of the individual wishing to wear the personal
bag. When the support member 55 is not being used, it can be stored
in pocket 60.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 5E, a backpack yoke 61 is carried by the
personal bag and secured inside backpack yoke pocket 64 when not in
use. The backpack yoke connects to waist yoke connectors 63a and
63b. When the lower yoke connectors 65a and 65b are disconnected
from waist yoke connectors 63a and 63b, the yoke can be stowed in
the yoke pocket. Yoke connector pocket 67 can receive waist yoke
connector 63a when the waist yoke connector is not in use. Support
connector 55 is shown stowed by securing connector member 57.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 6A, backpack yoke 62 is shown carried by
the personal bag. In this embodiment, the bottom of backpack yoke
can be removably connected to backpack securing straps 69a and 69b
when the securing straps are connected to the molle webbing of the
personal bag. The backpack yoke can include a plurality of backpack
shoulder straps 63a and 63b. The backpack shoulder straps can also
be connected to support connector 48a and 48b, respectively, to
secure the top of the backpack yoke to the personal bag. The
backpack shoulder straps can include backpack yoke reinforcement
straps 66a and 66b. The backpack yoke reinforcement straps can be
secured to the support connectors to provide additional support for
the backpack when worn by the individual. In this configuration,
support connector 48a would connect to backpack strap reinforcement
connector 68a. The backpack straps can include a sternum strap 70.
In one embodiment, the backpack yoke can be removed from the
personal bag and used on the resupply bag.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 6B, the personal bag in the open position
is shown. The rear potion of the personal bag can include a hinged
back plate. A hinge 72 allows the personal bag to "bend" around the
back of the individual wearing the personal bag to better conform
to the shape of the individual's back. Containers placed inside the
personal bag can be arranged so that the containers are adjacent to
each other at the hinge. This arrangement allows the personal bag
to conform to the wearer's back even when fully loaded with
containers and supplies.
[0036] When the pull tabs of the shoulder straps or yoke are
tightened, the personal bag is pulled so that it conforms to the
individual's back and fits snugly against the individual. When the
individual runs, the backpack will be less prone to moving from
side to side. This allows the individual to more efficiently
maneuver into spaces such as doorways and prevents the center of
gravity of the individual from being as altered as it is with a
traditional backpack. The inside of the rear portion of the
personal bag can contain the hook or loop portion 74 of a hook and
loop connector. An accessories strap 76 can be included in the
bottom of the inside of the personal bag and secure items such as
rolls of tape 78. The accessories strap can have a release member
to allow the accessory strap to be pulled apart for replacing the
tape.
[0037] In one embodiment, the personal bag includes removable
containers in the same configuration as in the resupply bag. The
personal bag could therefore include airway management removable
containers, breathing management removable containers, hemorrhage
control and vascular access removable containers. Since the
resupply bag and the personal bag can have the same configuration
of removable containers and in the event that it is necessary, a
first responder can treat an injured individual directly from the
resupply bag and the training and experience concerning the
location of medical items would be the same since the resupply bag
and personal bag would have items located in the same location and
configuration.
[0038] The front portion of the inside of the personal bag can
include closable pockets 80a through 80c of FIG. 6D. These pockets
can hold items such as gloves, treatment and instruction cards,
triage cards, head lamps, or any combination of these items.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 7A, the immediate response bag 82 is
shown. PALS or molle webbing can be included on the immediate
response bag as well as securing straps 84a through 84c. These
securing straps can be used to secure the immediate response bag to
the body armor, vest, clothing, or other gear of the individual
wearing the immediate response bag. In one embodiment, the
immediate response bag is positioned in the center of the chest so
as not to interfere with the other equipment being carried by the
individual. Further, this chest position allows the items in the
immediate response bag to be quickly accessed. Items that are
included in the immediate response bag include: nitrile trauma
gloves, gloves, combat card, cricothyroidotomy kit, nasopharyngeal
airway kit, chest seal, decompression needles, gauze, s-rolled
gauze, tourniquet, C-A-T tourniquet, compression bandage, scissor,
scissor leash, headlamp, and any combination thereof. Further, a
plurality of items of the same type can be carried allowing two or
more first responders to use the same items in parallel from a
single immediate response bag as shown in FIG. 7B.
[0040] Shears 86 (FIG. 7A) can be carried by the immediate response
bag using a leash 88. The leash can be internal to the immediate
response bag and can exit the bag through any one of a plurality of
leash exit ports 90a through 90d allowing customization for the
location of the shears.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 7C, a thigh carrier 92 can be attached to
the immediate response bag as shown in FIG. 7D. The thigh carrier
can include a thigh strap 94 with a thigh strap connector 96
allowing the thigh carrier to be secure around the thigh portion of
the individuals leg. Belt strap 98 can also be included in the
thigh carrier that when secured to the individual belt, prevents
the thigh carrier from slipping downward; especially when the
individual is running and the immediate response bag is worn on the
thigh. A belt releasable connector 100 can also be included
allowing quick release of the immediate response bag from the belt.
Whether carried by the PALS of the individual or the thigh carrier,
pockets 102, covered by pocket flag 104, are accessible from the
outward facing portion of the thigh bag and in one embodiment,
include tourniquets so that the life saving tourniquets are
accessible without having to remove the personal bag or immediate
response bag. Pocket flag 104 can be secured in the closed position
through a hook and loop connection.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 7E, the immediate response bag is secured
to the personal bag through the use of the thigh carrier so that in
storage and transport the immediate response bag will not be
separated from the personal response bag. When the personal
response bag is secured to the resupply bag, the immediate response
bag, thigh carrier, personal bag and resupply bag are configured as
a system and therefore will be are easily stored and transported
without separation of the various components.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 8, resupply bag can include backpack
straps 106a and 106b. In one embodiment, resupply strap connectors
108a and 108b are attached to the resupply bag near the handles.
The backpack yoke can be removed from the personal bag and secured
to the resupply bag by the strap connectors. Therefore, the
backpack yoke can be used with both the personal bag and the
resupply bag.
[0044] The backpack straps of the resupply kit can include resupply
system connectors 110a and 110b that can attach to strap connectors
108a and 108b, respectively. Further, the straps can be carried by
the backpack yoke and serve to provide additional support to the
backpack yoke when the backpack yoke is attached to the resupply
kit. When not in use, the backpack straps can be stowed in resupply
storage areas 106a and 106b, respectively.
[0045] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
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