Ears

[yarharr]

I am just about done with my EMT classes and am getting ready to buy a stethoscope. Any suggestions on which one to buy?

[35monroeffemt]

I would highly suggest going with Littmann. I say this with descretion, you don't need to go out and spend 300 dollars on a cardiology 3 but a moderate littmann like the master classic series works GREAT. I love mine and I can't imagine using anything else.

[Hamlet618]

Agreed - get a good basic Littmann like the classic.

[medic3648]

Get a cheep Littmann, I loved mine when I first got it, but now it has sat in my locker for the last 3 years. In the end it was too much to keep up with it so now I just use the one on the truck or in the bag. I have, not the greatest hearing, but I do just as well with the cheep sprague-rapport style ones as my firends do with the fancy 180 dollar ones. Just don't get to where you depend on it and can't use the ones that are on the ambulance in case you lose it or forget to bring it on a call.

[mikie333]

i just got a 3M Littmann the Lightweight IISE...its nice for a basic one, good hearing

though, what do people think about the plasic 'head' of the scope?

[DrParasite]

a cheap sprauge. you know, one of those cheap two tube ones. seriously.

think of it this way. you are still new in EMS. I'm guessing volunteer. do you really want to make an expensive investment so soon? and besides, the cheapies work adequately for what you need at the moment (basic lung sounds, vital signs, etc).

After you have been doing it for a while, and you think you are going to stick with it, then look at a new scope. I have a Littmann master classic II and I love it. it's a good enough scope that I can use, and cheap enough where if it does get broken/stolen (yes, that can happen) it's not that big of a deal.

[35monroeffemt]

a cheap sprauge. you know, one of those cheap two tube ones. seriously.

think of it this way. you are still new in EMS. I'm guessing volunteer. do you really want to make an expensive investment so soon? and besides, the cheapies work adequately for what you need at the moment (basic lung sounds, vital signs, etc).

After you have been doing it for a while, and you think you are going to stick with it, then look at a new scope. I have a Littmann master classic II and I love it. it's a good enough scope that I can use, and cheap enough where if it does get broken/stolen (yes, that can happen) it's not that big of a deal.


The sprague scopes are awesome I use mine often and love it. The only problem I have is sometimes the tubes rub together, but not really that big of an ordeal. I typically use my sprague when I work fire, it is a little more stout than my Littmann and if it gets broke I think I paid 12 dollars for it. When I work for my ambulance company I always use my Littmann. It is far superior to other scopes out there and I don't have to worry about it getting broken

[mikie333]

does the plastic 'head' on the littman lightweight SE II have any affect on the aucustics or is metal better?

[35monroeffemt]

Not really sure, my master classic has the metal head on it. I don't think that I would feel too comfortable with a plastic head seems like it would be too easy to break.

[mikie333]

Not really sure, my master classic has the metal head on it. I don't think that I would feel too comfortable with a plastic head seems like it would be too easy to break.

it seems somewhat durable...i don't know if your seen / touched it, but its not flimsy or anyhting like that

i COULD exchange it and go up to the clasic se II...

[cmitchell2006]

i have a sprague dual tube and i love it. it has a dual head too, one of those infant/adult diaphragms ( i guess thats what you call it). I love this scope, and it was like 25 bucks.

[Renoir911]

Hi there. I've used a Littman Classic 2 for the past 28 years and would not use anything else. I've used it on land units and in aircrafts. I've tried other stethoscopes but keep going back to the Classic 2. I've seen medics use expensive ears, some heavy, some with double tubes and in the end, I ear the same things. In fact, at times they ask to borrow my ears to have a good listen. So, Classic 2 worked very well for me for 29+ years as a Paramedic / F/F, and will end my career with it. Do get the soft ear pieces, makes all the difference in the world for comfort.
God Bless.

[hydrotech]

i agree to use a cheap one throughout school expecially when it comes to the BP portion. reason being IMHO if you can auscillate an accurate BP with a "cheapie" then when you step up to a Littman, sounds like a bass drum pounding in your ear(keep im mind im young though)

[doughesson]

I got a dual tube Prestige sphygmomanometer(gotta love those big words)kit for school.
I am told the dual tubes give you better acoustics when listening to heart sounds and for a pulse.
The bell has rubber or a hypoallergenic equal on it that reduces flinching when I lay it on someone's skin.No cold bare metal here.
I didn't know that at the time about the acoustics advantage.It was what the lady at the medical supply brought out so it's the one I selected.I'd put more time into it than that though.

[doughesson]

For school or afterwards,I think that you should get the best that you can afford or ask a relative for a loan/gift.
If you learn on a cra**y el cheapo model here,you aren't doing the best job that you can in patient care.You might not be able to hear lung sounds as clearly as you could with a higher end model.
There are times to conserve on money and I don't think gear we'll need to diagnose a patient with should be that time.

i agree to use a cheap one throughout school expecially when it comes to the BP portion. reason being IMHO if you can auscillate an accurate BP with a "cheapie" then when you step up to a Littman, sounds like a bass drum pounding in your ear(keep im mind im young though)

[hydrotech]

all i am saying is for school when honing your skills you don't need a stethoscope that give a huge advantage for picking up sounds learn what to lool for without a great one, then once you on the streets with "real patients" get the best one you can afford.