Austere Medical: Pressure Canner Autoclave

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This blog post is not in any way to be considered as instructions or advise. It is so others can see how I do it. Individuals performing any of the following do so at their own risk and assume all responsibility and liability for their actions.

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In South Florida we have the potential to be without electrical power for long periods of time after a hurricane. One hurricane left us without power for 3 weeks. That potential left us asking, how would we sterilize medical instruments without a commercial autoclave in austere conditions?

With that in mind I set out to see if I could purchase or construct an autoclave that did not require electrical power to operate for under $200.00 dollars. At first I found electric autoclaves that were priced $700.00 dollars and up. Those were out of our budget and electric which wouldn’t be very useful for the situations we envision using an autoclave in. There were non-electric stove top units for $300.00 up to over $600.00 dollars.

The $300.00 dollar unit was only 9.5 quarts much too small for large instruments or packs. 300 seemed like too much for such a small unit. I was somewhat disappointed that there seemed to be few options but the commercially made out of budget autoclaves.

Not satisfied with that I started searching for possible ways to construct a homemade autoclave out of readily available materials. That search led me to this PDF document titled “Use of pressure cookers for sterilization of clinical instruments” found here Link to original location for experiment inspiration. The paper refers to a study conducted by the Dental School of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1997 which evaluated pressure cookers for their autoclave capabilities.

After reading that paper I decided to try to find the 22 quart pressure cooker/canner mentioned in the paper. I was able to locate a Presto 22 quart model 0178003 on ebay for $59.99. It was in excellent condition. All of the gaskets were changed including the over pressure plug for safety. It also seemed to be good idea since gaskets were mentioned in the document as a potential problem point.

All-American gauge left, Presto gauge right, brass pipe fittings.

Also added was an All-American autoclave pressure gauge. Since there isn’t anyone local to test our pressure canner it seemed like a good idea to add a pressure gauge that was made to be used with an autoclave. I also wanted to keep the original gauge and see how they compared during testing. To do this 1/8″ brass pipe fittings were added so that both gauges could be monitored during a sterilization cycle.

3″ stainless steel screws for legs.

After installing the gauges, gaskets and seals I installed 5 stainless screws on the cooking rack that separates canning jars from the bottom of the canner. I left the rest of the rack untouched. During testing all of the packs came out wet. The rack had a few large holes leaving a lot of surface space for water to accumulate. To give more drainage the entire surface of the rack was perforated by drilling as many holes as I could without compromising the integrity of the rack.

After several tries the packs were still wet where the water wouldn’t drain off. I thought it might be there was still too much surface and surface tension to release the standing water. Also during those test I realized I needed something to prop the pouches and packs against so there would be room for the steam to pass and give the ability to add more instruments.

Stainless grill grate.

Another thing considered was that maybe the aluminum was cooling before the water had a chance to evaporate. I started searching online for a stainless steel cooling rack or grill grate. I found a 10 1/2″ stainless round grill grate on ebay. Also needed was something to separate the packs and pouches. I ordered a length of stainless steel wire online, wrapped it around something which I can’t remember to coil the wire to the shape I wanted. That piece of wire would push into the grill grate in several ways to accommodate the various pack/pouches.

Grill grate with wire coil.

Also during that phase of testing I noticed that once the cooking/drain rack was loaded with packs there was no way to remove them without touching them before they had a chance to cool down. I had a short piece of aluminum flat stock laying around so that was bent into a handle shape then attached to the cooking rack.

Cooking rack with attached handle.

The information in the document mentioned the success difference between the 15 psi and 20 psi pressures. It seemed to me that the preferred pressure would be 20 psi since the document on page 6 stated “No positive cultures were evident in any ampules processed at the increased saturated steam pressure for 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes in all vessels.”

Cooking rack, grill grate and wire coil

3 piece pressure regulator

A 3 piece pressure regulator was purchased to use for parts to add to the regulator that came with the pressure canner. To achieve the 120 grams as the document mentioned one of the weights from the 3 piece regulator was added with 2 washers. The pick up knob was modified to accommodate the washers so that they would stay centered on the regulator.

20 psi regulator parts

Final regulator weight

After multiple test to assure dry packs and a consistent pressure of 21 psi it was time to see if the modified canner could function as a successful autoclave. Mail in spore test containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus from Mesa Labs were ordered to determine if packs had reached sterilizing conditions.

Instruments were packed in commercial pouches, muslin and CSR wraps to determine if they would interfere with the process. Packs were packaged tightly to make it as difficult as possible for steam to penetrate the pack to the place where the test were located. I was trying to get the process to fail. It never did.

Spore test results

Test results for the thickest pack passed 2 times. The other packs and pouches passed as well. That’s still no guarantee that the packs are sterile. Anyone who processes packs knows that the only place we have any certainty of sterilization was where the test strip was located everything else is assumed to be sterile. I feel confident that sterilization conditions were sufficient throughout the canner so much so I’ve added it to our aid station equipment.

Since there were no specific instructions mentioned in the document I used the instructions for the All American autoclaves. After multiple test conducted I noticed that instead of the 15 cups recommended in the document I was able to use as little as 11 cups but added 12 cups to ensure the cycle wouldn’t dry out.

The steps I followed, also our standard operating procedures(SOP), are the following:

After the canner is loaded with the 12 cups distilled water and the packs the heat source is set to high to bring the water to a rolling boil.
Once boiling and there is a steady stream of steam venting from the vent pipe a timer is set for 7 minutes
After the 7 minutes the pressure regulator was placed on the vent pipe. The pressure is allowed to reach the desired 21 psi.
When the pressure reaches 21 psi the pressure regulator is removed to allow pressure and steam to escape for 4 minutes in an attempt to evacuate all ambient air which may not sterilize if trapped in the canner.
After the 4 minute venting cycle is complete the pressure regulator is placed back onto the vent pipe.
When the pressure on both regulators reaches 21 psi the heat source is turned down to maintain pressure throughout the sterilization cycle.
After the heat source is turned down a timer is set for 5 minutes. During this time the pressure is monitored to ensure it does not go over 21 psi.
Once the pressure is assured a timer is set for 35 minutes to ensure that all parts of thick packs are sterilized.
After the sterilization cycle the packs are removed and the canner is emptied of water.
The packs a placed back into the canner on the heat source set to low to start a dry cycle of 35 minutes.
Once the 35 minutes have passed the packs are removed and allowed to dry for 6-8 hours.
After the packs cool and vent any residual moisture they are placed into plastic pouches and vacuum sealed to preserve the sterility.

SOP’s also include when using a new heat source running at least 3 test to ensure consistent pressure throughout the cycle. We use indicator tape as well as test strips to indicate a cycle is successful. Project cost for the canner, replacement parts and parts for autoclave use was $170.13.

Dangers are explosion if safety features are modified and severe steam burns if a heat protective glove is not used when placing or removing the pressure regulator weight. This type of autoclave must never be left unattended and the pressure must be constantly monitored for consistency and safety.

We have a working autoclave for austere conditions! Now we can sterilize instruments wherever we have a consistent heat source whether it’s in our back yard after a hurricane or in a remote location far away from help. -13

Link to additional information about pressure cooker autoclaves

Check out this 20 minute video about our pressure canner autoclave.

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Austere Medicine: Mega Medic Bag – Kit Contents

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I finally got around to finishing this bag and making a video! On June 3rd of 2016 I posted a product review video of the Mega Medic bag. At the time it was sitting empty, we had decided our medical supplies and equipment needed to be changed and updated based on how the use of the kits evolved over the previous 5-8 years. Most of the kits had been used out of a rescue truck for a project we were working on.

When I made the review video I gathered various medical items that fit into the different parts of the bag to demonstrate the possibilities of what could be kept there. The items shown weren’t a set up ready-to-go kit. I already had a list for the kit contents but didn’t have everything I wanted. Some of the items on hand had reached it’s useful life.

Recently after reading a video comment on the kit I had never seen before I checked to see what was needed to finish this kit. Triangle bandages. That was all. Trying to keep track of medical inventory without a computer may put me in a straight jacket. After replacing and restocking items the kit was finally ready. How is that for a swift kick in the pants?

B Compartment

The kit is an extension of the aid bag. This is considered our Trauma Kit and builds on splinting, bandaging, eye, dental, large wounds, burns. Can be resupply or used as is. It is based on several kits from past experience. It may be hard to imagine but nearly every item in this kit could be expended on one incident.

Some of the kits from the past using the same bag had more of the bandaging and splinting materials. Those kits had been based on, in part, by proximity to a military base and a direct flight path where helicopters and transport aircraft that could hold hundreds of soldiers could and sometimes did go down.

Then there is the, being the only one there and no one is coming. To the rural 20,000 person county, only 5 people qualified to operate two ambulances with the nearest mutual aid unit 30 minutes away, no air support. Standing there after a mass casualty incident looking around and seeing empty aid bags and bandaging supply wrappers among the carnage leaves a lasting impression.

Alpha compartment, why we use those pouches

During the same time we were updating our kits we were able to find several different type packing organizers on sale at Marshalls store. After using a few of them we went back to that store and many others within our local area and bought whatever stock they had in the store.

Those finds allowed us to keep items protected in ziploc bags and create mini kits without having a kit full of ziploc bag mess. Multiples of one type item or a kit made of several different components they’ll work well for many common items.

Double side bandaging pouch (Go Travel Packing Pouch no.3)

The bag above was one of the last pouches found. As it’s packed it works very well, 8 rolls Kerlix, 12 5×9 Surgipads, 20 4×4 sponges. I’ve looked for more and can’t find them. The pouch below is what was used before we found the pouch above. The dressings were packed the same way they are shown, the Kerlix was packed like the double side pouch, 8 rolls in a ziploc bag.

The smaller pouches have items like tape, self adhesive, triangle and elastic bandages. The bandage pouches are very handy for bandaging purposes or resupply. Glad we found them when we did.

Single side bandaging pouch (Travelon Packing Organizers Set-Small)

CD Case

I’ve been looking at ways to store the instant hot and cold compresses for years. When the portable CD cases became available I found out they worked well. If the internal storage sleeves are removed there is room for two instant compresses. All I had to do to get this type case to work was remove the sleeves from the rivets that were simple to pull out by hand.

At first I used a metal case but it added weight and was too stiff to fit in multiple spaces. When these softer type plastic cases became available I tried one. Discovered that I liked it better. It has more flexibility and can fit into tighter spaces than the metal case. For the type of compress and CD case chosen its simple to get them into the case. First, I arrange the liquid part of the compress in one half of the bag and the dry ingredients in the other then, fold in half.

Case open showing how compress is packed

Place both compresses in the case then close it. As shown below it works good. The compress is protected from punctures and abrasion and it’s easy to see the contents. I usually look for things like this at the outlet stores but ordered these off eBay for consistency.

Case packed with 2 compresses

This kit has one 18″ and two 36″ SAM splints that can be used in many different ways and can be custom cut with the trauma shears. Very handy to have on hand. They beat the old ice cream scoop, vinyl covered wood, blow-up doll, waxed cardboard splints any day.

FareTec CT-6

REEL Splint

The two photos above show the traction splints kept in or with the trauma kit. The FareTec and the REEL splints are surplus finds. If you’re looking to stock your kit check out eBay and the surplus stores. Make sure all the parts are there before you buy, get new if at all possible. Couldn’t give a price on either of these. eBay as I shockingly found out only keeps auction records for 3 years not a running tally like Amazon.

Dental / Eye Kit

In the photo above are the contents of the dental and eye kit. The denture case can be used for dentures, loose teeth or prosthetic eyes. There is a scleral cup for removing contacts and prosthetic eyes. A case for contact lens and a 10x magnified mirror.

Two eye shields and two food service 16 ounce deli cups for covering injured eyes. Those things can work well for keeping eyes protected. Some of the eye injuries I’ve seen makes me want these in stock at all times. Not shown are the sterile eye cups, the Sal-jet rinse 30ml saline vials or the Refresh Plus eye drops.

Most items in the kit have multiple uses. Dressing like the trauma and surgipad make good splint padding. The surgical CSR wraps in the kit to make clean working space can be used to protect wounds. A mylar blanket as an occlusive dressing. The list is endless.

Security Sealed Kit

Security seals are an important part of our medical system. The seals are tightly controlled and numbered. A strict system is in place, only a couple of people here are allowed to seal a kit. That way when one of the kits need to be used and the seal is intact we can be assured the contents will be there.

The seals used in the video are not the same seals used on our bags. They’re from old stock and are used for training. They work the same as fire extinguisher seals, twist or pull on the seal and it will break easily. If you get some, get numbered if possible it will help in case someone else has the same type/color seals.

A word of caution, be careful where they are placed on zippers they can break zipper parts easy.

Hardigg AL3018-0905

The Trauma Kit is kept in a cabinet or could be stored and transported in a heavy duty case with the REEL splint, a MOLLE 2 pack frame, various color pack covers, a quick litter in a dump pouch and a small tarp to place the contents onto. The case is stored with the gasket out, if left in place it compresses under the weight of the other cases and is not as effective over time.

Seems like that covers the items I felt I left out of the video. I don’t want to repeat the video here. I would rather people watch the video, then read the blog after to see what was left out. Clearly I don’t write scripts for these videos, just an item name, maybe a note. If there are any changes or updates in the future they’ll be posted. The new video is below. -13

Other video project featuring the Mega Medic bag are below.

Product review video.

Video of MOLLE 2 pack modifications.

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Over-the-Counter Medications Kit

Note: this post contains affiliate links, proceeds support this website.

After setting up to make the Aid Bag video I realized it would be easy to make a quick video about the over-the-counter kit. Been waiting to make it. Thought it would be longer, the video is a short 3:50. Could have made it much sooner.

Hanging Toiletry Organizer/Over-the-counter meds kit

The kit is 14 3/4″ x 27″, has 9 zippered pockets, no issues. It’s polyester on the outside and what looks like a cotton/polyester liner. The hook at the top was changed to something that would work better for our intended use. It its not heavy duty. The quality is more for home items so it should hold up well for this purpose. May be difficult to clean, all ointments once removed from original packaging usually get put into a vacuum or ziplock bag.

May add two more loops at the hook end toward the outer edge. This could be used with other snap hooks or a metal bar to offer better support for long term hanging. The organizer was purchased from the Container Store and was available before this was posted.

Modified hook

When working emergency service calls I kept a small quantity of Tylenol, aspirin, Tums, Bag Balm, Chap Stick, Imodium, Benadryl, and wetting eye drops. Could have been Murine. That was my personal kit. I learned the hard way that once you leave the station in a rescue, an engine or ambulance, if you do not have it with you in the boonies, no one is going to bring it to you. Toilet paper, socks, water, food, anything essential. In some of the areas, everyone showed up on scene and that was it. No more help was coming. We were it.

In station over the years a master kit with multiple selections was made. Most of it had to do with personal preference or suggestion. The selection of pain relievers came from personal experience with them. Aspirin seems to work better than any of the others for my dental pains. The others are for other body pains and rotation so I’m not using the same one consistently.

IvyX was added and never used. No way to report on how well it works. Several times the stock on hand will dry out and then has to be restocked. The mensuration kit has pads and tampons, sometimes adults leave unprepared and youth experience puberty at all times of the day or night. Partially responsible for adult personnel health a good medic knows the importance of keeping a high quality supply of condoms. People are people, nothing we can do to stop that, but we can help prevent other options if the product works.

The kit is kept easy to access in our homestead medical area along with all our first response equipment and is ready to go anywhere on a moments notice. A short video is below. -13

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Product Review / Kit Contents Dyna Med Maxi-Medic Bag BG087

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Dyna Med Maxi-Medic Bag Model BG087.

This product review and kit contents were inspired by the project to update our medical equipment and supplies.

The Maxi-Medic is good durable bag suitable for many types of medical kits. It is 1000 denier nylon. Measures 9″H x 20″L x 12″W. Side Pocket: 6″H x 12″L x 2 1/2″W. Main compartment: 9″H x 14″L x 12″W. Lid Pocket: 5 1/2″ x 9″. The first time I can remember using one of these was sometime in the early 1980’s. Maybe ’81-’82? In the late 70’s early 80’s services were still using the recycled television and radio tube heavy duty plywood cases and surplus canvas M5’s that always had that canvas tent smell. Look them up online, can’t find any images to use here.

Back to the present. No issues with the zippers, good quality YKK. No issues with stitching. Wish the webbing went all the way around to support the bag better, no issues to report. The mesh zippered pocket on the lid of the bag works well. Based on my experience the zipper should be near the hinge part of the lid. It would be much better to use in that position.

Lid pocket

One hand could be used to open, close or retrieve contents in an unsupported way. Also reducing the possibility of loosing valuable items if the zipper fails or is not properly closed. In the current position contents would spill out of the pocket and bag. With the zipper located near the hinge loose contents would have a better chance to fall into the bag and prevent loss or damage.

In the photo below the lid was opened in the usual way. The lid was held up with one hand, the pocket unzipped by the other. Once unzipped the lid was let go of. The items are not staged they are exactly how they fell out of the pocket.

Natural position of lid in the open position, zipper open.

Here is why I have to follow up the video with a blog. Since I don’t use the feature and the other hook part of hook/loop has been removed from the bravo compartment foam insert I forgot to mention this in my notes. Something made me remember it.

Knuckle scratcher.

One of the reasons I do not use hook/loop for most things is the hook part. It can be very irritating if located in the wrong place. If they would place the loop part inside the insert and hook on the divider it wouldn’t scratch fingers and knuckles. The hook/loop should also be on both sides that way the divider can be completely removed. If not is has to be folded to the side and takes up valuable storage space. Why I usually cut them out.

Where the divider stops when using.

Divider taking up storage space. Must be forced into position.

Paracord zipper pull.

Added paracord zipper pulls to make life easier. No problems with zippers as long as I don’t do the jerky-high-speed-mofo kind of crap or loose my cool when the zipper hits a snag. The longevity of this bag depends on two things, flawless construction and end user handling of the bag. Like anything, abused- it won’t last long, taken care of= years of service.

Shoulder strap, carry handle.

It does have a shoulder strap that is removable and adjustable. This shoulder strap has held up well, so has the carry handle.

Shoulder strap hardware.

More about the video on this bag and contents. Had no idea it would be so long, 41:22. It’s a sleep generator for sure. Maybe with better notes it could have been made shorter. At this point it is edited and ready to go so it will stay like it is.

Making a video that includes the many reasons items are in the kit would take hours. I’m trying to speak in layman’s terms and keep it very basic. In part the video was made to share how others do things. It is never meant for instruction or teaching anyone how to do it. I think the content of the video is great for inspiration and to make a decision on whether this bag would suit your particular situation. For how-to do things there is nothing like in-person, hands-on, training and experience.

The scope-of-practice for this kit has evolved working with humans, domestic, native and exotic animals in many roles since the late 1970’s. It’s for use at any time, has most of the initial bandage basics and vital sign instruments. Usually my starting place for all things medical related. It is for medical issues that have presented many times. In station aid, medical coverage at public events, emergency service calls. People asking for anti-acids for heartburn, a toothpick or length of dental floss to pick out a piece of popcorn kernel or meat. Band-aids for the stubbed toe or skinned knee. A condom. Blood pressure checks.

I start with this kit and use other kits as needed. If there is a respiratory issue the airway, the oxygen and aspirator kit will be at hand. Trauma beyond this kit, spine boards, trauma kit, cervical collars, etc. depending on what is presenting. Writing the last two lines is why I don’t get into specifics in the video. The list of situations and possibilities becomes endless and exhaustive. Back to the video.

Vital sign instruments.

Working correctly the pulse oximeter and blood pressure monitor can be accurate. They’re here to complement patient feedback, palpation, my stethoscope and sphygmomanometer along with the other digital age technology. All of them producing life saving information that could make a difference in outcome. These instruments provide: bowel/heart/lung sounds, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, pulse, temperature and blood glucose levels. The instruments may be the only way to get vital information from a lethargic or unconscious person.

They can also be used effectively by layperson with on-the-spot training. A layperson doesn’t have to understand the results to obtain accurate ones with the battery operated devices. Many of them were designed for the patient to use at home. In austere conditions this capability could prove invaluable.

Basic eye emergency kit.

Another item good to have on hand for those who use contact lens or prosthetic eye is the suction cup designed to remove hard contact lens and prosthetic eyes. If the package is opened and handled correctly, the suction cup can be handled by a dirty hand to remove an eye or contact lens in an emergency without contaminating the eye, contact, or eye area. This kit has a place to put contact lens or prosthetic eye after removal. Wetting eye drops for the intended purpose or temporary storing the contact lens. A way to cover and protect an injured eye or exposed socket tissue. That’s the basic eye kit contents.

This bag has common bandaging material seen in any hospital, clinic, ambulance, emergency room or aid station. 18″ and 36″ SAM splints, tapes, triangle/self-adhering/elastic/gauze bandaging materials. Gauze sponges and dressings of various sizes.

Travelon, Jewelry Roll/Adhesive bandage kit

The adhesive bandage (band-aid) kit is a small 10 1/2″ x 12 3/4″, 6 zippered pocket, tri-fold carry case. It holds the adhesive bandage styles and sizes we’ve found covers all our small bandaging needs. The most common thing treated out of the aid bag are finger lacerations. Lots of band-aids and self-adhering wrap.

Hot & Cold Compress

Other items that have been useful are the instant hot/cold compresses. For the bumps, sprains, cramps and whatever else. No heating or freezing required. Also kept in the kit are washcloths. Everyday washcloths, for their intended purpose and to use as an insulator with the compresses. Wetting the washcloth first helps transmit the heat or cold much better. If you have not used them before remember they can damage the skin if used incorrectly and must be monitored.

Finger ring cutter. Miltex 33-140

Instruments like the finger ring cutter have turned many purple swollen fingers back to normal size and skin tone. It will work for soft metals and works good. Unless it’s a thick class ring or similar it will take less than a minute to get through gold, silver, or pot metal rings. It will not work on titanium or ceramic. We have vice grips in our extrication hand tool kit if becomes necessary for those rings. When it comes to purchasing ring cutters, do not go for the lowest price cutter. Go for the lowest price highest quality cutter(Miltex, V. Mueller, Sklar). Low budget cutters will let you down.

Silicone collapsible bowls come in handy when a kidney basin won’t fit in a kit. These fit so well in the side pockets they were added the day they arrived. Working out away from a base the bowls are perfect. If they have to be disposed of no problem.

There are many other items in the bag covered briefly in the video and why this is ending here. This blog would be longer than the video if that path was taken. Each item or subject could go in many directions. My default about any of the kit items or topics is this, get training, get experience. Do that, everything in this kit will make sense. -13

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Austere Medicine: Mega Medic Bag / MOLLE 2 Pack Frame Attachment Points

The first video I made on this bag.

The Dyna-Med Mega Medic bag is one of my favorite bags to use. Only problem is when I pack the bag it gets heavy. Sometimes 35+ pounds. I need a better way to move the bag than hand or over shoulder carry with that kind of weight.

I have a broken MOLLE 2 pack frame I like to use for experiments so I don’t break a good one. By chance I laid the frame next to the mega medic bag setting on a table one day. It was easy to notice how close they were in size so I set the bag on top of the frame and this is the result.

A video how I modified the mega medic bag to attach to the MOLLE 2 pack frame. It’s not a how-to, it’s a how I did it video. The process was simple but time consuming.

Put the bag on the frame, pick the best spots to attach webbing. Mark it, get the dimensions for the webbing, mark, then cut the pieces. That process took maybe 45 minutes to an hour. Once the webbing is ready its sewing time.

I knew sewing was going to go slow. The pieces I’ve added would have been sewn on much sooner in the assembly process reducing the time drastically. The time was no problem since quality/accuracy is more important to me than speed. The webbing straps make it easy to attach to the MOLLE 2 frame. Think this took more like an hour plus but I’m not sure.

I did notice over the last few videos how bad the audio is so I’ll attempt to make it better. Several issues there that must be addressed. After I’ve updated the kit contents I’ll make another video about the bag to include kit content and modifications. -13

Video of modifications.

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Austere Medicine: Improvised Aspirator

Aspirator, one medical device I do not want to be without when I need it. In an effort to be prepared I wanted to have several options. Every once and a while something will catch my eye as potentially useful for this purpose.

One item is the FreshSaver battery operated hand held vacuum pump and another, a Harbor Freight transfer pump. Something battery operated and something manual. I was fairly confident the FreshSaver would work but had no faith in the transfer pump because of the quality.

By drilling out the hole on the FreshSaver I was able to retain the plastic seal. It works perfectly on the tapered fittings on any suction canister. It had very strong suction. When I was experimenting with it I covered the inlet and let the vacuum draw on the unit and believe it has adequate suction to work well. The battery may not last very long but it might last enough to get though a bad situation. I like the way it worked so well I’ve added the FreshSaver to my aspirator kit as a backup.

The transfer pump worked much better than expected. Didn’t have much trust in it but it worked. The video footage demonstrates it. Battery operated is fine, however I always want a manual way that doesn’t include batteries or electricity. The transfer pump connected to any standard suction canister will be effective in my mind as long as all the connections are leak free. Another one added to the aspirator kit for backup.

Some things to remember, when the vacuum pump is connected the canister will be top heavy so it must be accounted for. Also the nipple connected to the pump could snap off from the weight of the pump or by getting bumped. In the video I had configured the pump to connect via hose instead of directly to the nipple. This reduces the risk of both the top heavy issue and snapping of the nipple. I felt this configuration would work best because it makes the control to the vacuum more accessible.

It was a challenge to sync the videos so I could get the best audio but it worked. I have an experiment in mind using clapping and will use it next time I make a multi camera video. Below is a video I filmed when I made this experiment. I used three old iPhones, one i5 and two i4’s. Footage shot above from the front looked like it was recorded on a VCR from an antenna fed television in the 1980’s. So we’re stuck with a partially blocked screen side view and a very clear side/front view. Surprisingly the angles caught all of it. -13

VIDEO BELOW

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Austere Medicine: RICO RS-6 Aspirator

Anyone looking for an aspirator that will function in austere conditions may find the Rico RS-6 will work for them. I’ve used these before for military and civilian applications and have never had problems. What I like most about this suction unit is how it is made to be portable or stationary and can be powered by engine, electric or hand. It doesn’t get much better when looking for something for austere conditions in my mind. This one was an eBay item that I was lucky enough to get for $43.00. A really great price.

Although it is portable it is not ideal to be hauling around by hand and would be better suited for mounted applications that required the occasional use away from your transportation/station whatever/wherever it may be. The way I have this unit set up is a connection in my POV since it’s the designated medical/emergency response vehicle for our homestead.

The other way this set up works good for us is a backup in an aid-station or in camp to the electric/battery operated aspirator that usually uses disposable collection basins. Or this could be connected as the collection basin for the electric portable aspirator in place of the disposable ones. Although I would not want to use this without the disposable liners it can be and is designed to if necessary. The other surprising item that works well with a little modification to power the Rico RS-6 is the little FoodSaver handheld like the one below. It works so well that it is part of our emergency aspirator kit. I’ll have a video/blog on that as soon as I put the footage together.

Here is a video that’s just under ten minutes that shows all the items that originally came with the Rico RS-6. I’ve cut most of the ramble out to save you some time. Another item of interest for those who may need the information is the scanned PDF of combined printed material that was with the original packaging. That link is just above the video. -13

OPERATORS MANUAL RICO MODELS RS-4 RS-6 RS-5X

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Video Projects: YouTube channel, have you subscribed yet?

If you haven’t’ subscribed yet you may want to if you’re into organic gardening, homestead living, animal husbandry, austere medicine, homestead fire prevention/protection, do-it-yourself and stuff about everyday life. Go check it out, don’t forget, it’s free. If you really like it share it with your friends or those of like mind. Not much there yet, but more is on the way. -13

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdgl0U8gZkQylbQlivtOi5A/

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Austere Medicine: Dyna Med Mega-Medic Bag Model: BG169

Originally posted Jun 4, 2016 @ 00:27 on WordPress.

I’ve been wanting to make a product review video on the Dyna Med Mega-Medic Bag Model: BG169 for a long time. I’ve seen several videos on the bag but they never show the features or dimensions. The most important parts. They usually just show the items they keep in them and never expose the interiors very well. Hopefully this video will address those issues and help others decide whether this bag will suit their needs.

I first noticed this bag in the Dyna Med catalog I used to get back in the mid 80’s and have been using this model ever since then. There have been replacements due to zipper failures. That doesn’t bother me much because most of the zipper problems were actually human ones. It’s a bag design I really like a lot. It functions well and can be customized and configured for any of your needs. It can be used as a trauma/bandage bag, splint bag, helmet bag, airway/aspiration management bag, etc.

I can’t think of any project notes. So I’ve either forgot something or I actually got it all in the video. Not so sure about that part. Let see what happens. -13

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