Medical Team for Haiti
 

I've just been asked to help pull together a medical team for Haiti.

What I'm trying to do in the next few hours is compile a list of medical equipment that an anonymous company has agreed to supply within 24 - 48 hours.

What would you recommend we take? Infil is on 2 single engine Piper aircraft with a payload of 700 kg each landing 50 km south of Port a Prince on a short hard dirt runway. One will carry personnel, the other will carry supplies and equipment.

Are security and plans for contingency in place?

Sorry I'm not contributing, but I'm concerned over your and the other personnel safety.

This might be redundant, but when I volunteered with medshare, I was told medical mission can get supply there for free or very low cost
http://www.medshare.org/files/blog/f...20Supplies.pdf

Thanks frostfire.

Re safety/security - Does a cat have climbing gear? :) No definitive plans yet, but in process. Mostly civilian team with no SA or experience in potentially hostile environments.

First, I would bring a gun. Actually, I would bring several guns and an understanding that you may find yourself on the other side of a mob with machetes who think you have something worth stealing.

I would think in terms of nuts and bolts. People who have been insulin dependent are screwed (no electricity to refrigerate insulin). Don't worry too much about the chronically ill. They'll be dead soon enough. Focus on those who were healthy prior to being wounded and whom you believe you can return to health.

I would pack a smattering of broad spectrum antibiotics to cover those who are allergic to one or another. I would have plenty of anti-diarrheals. I would pack water disinfectants (bleach would work, as would Iodine). I would pack splinting and bandaging materials, surgical debriedment supplies since you're going to probably have wounds which haven't been treated and have now festered and I would be prepared to amputate a few limbs from gangrenous wounds. You'll need fluids for irrigation. . . heavy to bring, but boiled salted water is better than nothing. . . Of course I would bring IV fluids and requisite catheters/drip sets.

I'm trying to gin up a mission to go as well so god speed and stay safe.

Books

Good list.

In fact the 1st thing I was gong to say is GLOVES.
Leather gloves and PPE gloves. I would avoid Latex gloves for the simple fact some people are allergic to latex. So just the standard PPE gloves, like found in any ED/ER, is the way to go.

Aside from any disinfectant, bring plenty of "Cavicide" wipes. To clean equipment.

Masks. Simple ones and also some N-95 masks. Smells and "Nasty bugs" (ie Virus') are going to be high.

Vicks vapor rub, for placing under your nostrils, to mask the "smell" of bodies.

Tape. Duct tape (100 mph), cotton tape, IV tape, ect. You'd be amazed at how much tape it used in a emergency medical environment.

Pens, pens, and more pens. Also, plenty of "Sharpie" pens, in various colors.

Just a few things off the top of my head. Hope it helps. As I think of more I'll post them.

Malaria prophylaxis, mosquito net, will for all members. I would not go without military security. In 1-2 weeks the lid might come off.
Good luck.

I agree on that. For Operation Uphold Democracy in 1994, our NG SF company got mobilzied for that. One 18B on one of the teams had to shoot an armed combatant during an attempted looting. I actually talked to the 18B a few years ago about his shooting, I was at a cop event and the 18B was there due to his brother in law being a cop in my dept.

FWIW, the MSM media reports I'm seeing are pushing the 'break down into chaos' story line.

Go with your head on right, game face, and the ability to see yourself through.

Be aware, you might have to push back, remember women and children first, don't trust anyone to do your thinking for you, question everything.

Good luck,

WD

Let me add a few thoughts

1)most of your team should speak french, creo is all you get in the back country

2)shelter, you need some large tents and tarps to set up triage, pre-evac paient staging, PLUS you need somewhere to sleep. Assume there will be other quakes and ALL structures are un-usable. THEY HAVE NO BUILDING CODES...

3)knee pads, uniforms, boots, you will not have beds for patients, your team will be kneeling in rubble to admin, they will become injured if not properly protected.

4)designated security, most of your team will be very loving and caring,, team members will not react to machetes well. They will need protection.

5)communication, Sat-phones, batteries, small 2000-3000 watt gas or multi-fuel generator, solar power chargers

6)established egress plan if the SHTF... Make sure your back-up(UN peace keepers, or whoever) are in the loop and fully prepared to support you... ALSO committed to DAILY re-supply and medivac for the seriously injured..

7)Constantia wire to establish a compound..

8)stab vests/jackets for your team, anything else will be to heavy and obvious.


Good Luck..


My $00.0002

Deleted

You need to take this as a normal reaction by UN peace keepers.

Be Very careful. They can and will leave you hanging..

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americ...ex.html?hpt=T2