Smaller sized duty gear?

[Riblett]

I live in Wake County, NC and it has yet again decided to turn really cold really fast. I am trying to buy a duty coat to wear this season, cause the agency-issued sweatshirts and pullovers just aren't enough.

Here is the problem: I am five feet tall and weigh about 115 lbs. (and no, I am not a kid or cadet) Everywhere I have looked all the jackets are too big. Most of the jackets I found are for men, and the smallest womens conversion size is an 8-10. I need a womens size 4. This is an ongoing problem for me, I guess there are not many EMTs/medics my size out there. If anybody knows where I can buy one please post.

[somedic]

If you are doing real EMS work in the in NCyou wont be that cold unless you guys have the world's record for on scene times up there!

[Acosell]

Let's not let this degrade into an argument. Perhaps you've forgotten that people of a smaller stature may have more difficulty retaining heat. Or perhaps you've never been to a call where extrication of a patient from a destroyed vehicle is needed.

[SuperKoopa]

Not to backseat mod here, but stop shitting up the thread. Somebody asks a legitimate question and some of you immediately have to reply with something that has nothing to do with the original post. No matter what size she is, she's obviously employed and that means she can do her job! Now answer the question.

[Riblett]

Okay, still waiting for an actual answer if anyone knows. This really is a serious question.

But in reply, we have several high speed highways in this area like 401, 40, 95 and so on. High speed=bad accidents and potential for long extrication times. It is also the season for 4 wheeler and hunting accidents that always seem to be way off the road and in the middle of no where.

[Scaramedic]

Hey Riblett I searched multiple suppliers and had no luck finding EMS uniform jackets that small. My suggestion is to find a jacket from a civilian supplier, i.e Columbia Sportswear, that looks like an EMS jacket. I don't believe the public will care if your jacket isn't an "official" EMS jacket.

[emtkelley]

Hi Riblett,

My brother lives in Charlotte so I know how the extreme cold and heat get. Scaramedic has a good idea. I used to work at a screenprinting shop and we also did embroidery. We were able to get a variety of sizes/styles that might not be availbale in other places. You might try a shop and see what they could do for you, too. You could also get the smallest coat you could find and get it tailored to fit, although that might be costly. Another idea would be to go to the boys section at Walmart or Target, JC Pennys, ect. and see what they might have. I once picked up a nice jacket, navy with the navy fur collar with applets for $15.00 (clearance priced) at Walmart. I wear it with my dress uniform and it looks sharp.

My mom has been known to get kids sneakers sometimes as women's don't fit her well so I know your dilemma. It's very hard to find clothing that fits if you aren't textbook sized.

Good luck and let us know if you found anything!

[Eydawn]

I second that... try to get a jacket (dark blue, black) that fits you- no matter where you have to go to get it, i.e. Columbia, Target, Wal-Mart, etc and have a screen-printing or embroidering company put the same logo that goes on your company stuff on it for you. If they balk, ask them to call your employer to verify that this is a kosher order.

Good luck!!

Wendy

[paramedicmike]

I also suggest layering your clothes. Winters in NC can get chilly...especially if you have reason to be outside for an extended period of time in less than accommodating circumstances.

Poly-pro works well (but once it starts to smell, and it will start to smell, the smell won't come out). However, a silk long underwear base, with capilene as a second layer then your uniform works well. Throw on a sweater, and a winter hat if you need it, and you should be good.

If you find that you'll need a jacket on top of it all, I'd suggest looking for one of those military style flight jackets. They're comfortable, durable and warm. I've seen them on people close to your size. The hard part, of course, is finding them.

Ultimately, I'd suggest layering as your best option. It really does work. You may feel a little bulky...but you'll be bulky and warm. And it's easier to find base layers in your size than it is try find professional durability outwear.

Good luck!

-be safe.

[EMTErica]

Here is the problem: I am five feet tall and weigh about 115 lbs. (and no, I am not a kid or cadet) Everywhere I have looked all the jackets are too big. Most of the jackets I found are for men, and the smallest womens conversion size is an 8-10. I need a womens size 4. This is an ongoing problem for me, I guess there are not many EMTs/medics my size out there. If anybody knows where I can buy one please post.

I feel your pain. I weight 108 lbs (and I'm full grown and in my 30s), and I live in NYC (*&$*&@&$# cold in the winter). My unit only sells men's mediums and larges, and supplies men's mediums to borrow - I can't really figure this out as there are at least 10 women around my size in it. I frigging hate being small sometimes - even the big running organization up here supplies XXL race shirts, but not XS. Explain that to me.

Enough ranting. Here's the results of my research:

1. There are three coats that come in XS on galls:

5.11 Fleece Patrol jacket: http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=gen...06&cat=3158

5.11 Big Horn Jacket: http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=gen...07&cat=3158

Feichheimer Ultra Duty Jacket: http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=gen...39&cat=3158

2. Duty Gear also carries a few:

Horace Small: Unisex Sentry Windbreaker with Liner: http://www.dutygearuniforms.com/acatalog/h...indbreaker.html

Horace Small: Unisex New Generation® 2 Jacket with Liner: http://www.dutygearuniforms.com/acatalog/h...eneration2.html

Horace Small: Unisex Weather4® Jacket with Primaloft Liner: http://www.dutygearuniforms.com/acatalog/h...ather4coat.html

3. Lifeline EMS Jacket: http://www.globefiresuits.com/lifeline/pro.../ems-jacket.asp (this one is a little flashy for me)

4. From the fire store: 5.11 3-in-1 Jacket, Dark Navy http://www.thefirestore.com/store/product....cket_dark_navy/ (My favorite so far AND it includes measurements)

5. Spiewak sells short smalls, which might be pretty close: http://www.siegelsuniforms.com/pages/detai...12&prevcat=

6. Blauer also claims to carry some of their jackets in XS short. Unfortunately "unisex" (men's) XS correlates to a women's 6-8 according to their sizing.

I'm still looking for a women's XS, which I can pretty pretty sure will fit.

There's a huge niche in this industry for a company willing to specialize in smaller and women's uniforms.