Health professionals - need advice on stethoscopes?

I'm looking for help on what's a good stethoscope brand to buy these days, and where to get it? I'm not finding many medical supply stores locally so I can order online if necessary.

When I was a volunteer EMT-CC, I had a Littman stethoscope that I paid a lot of money for. My nephew is 15 and now also involved in a volunteer ambulance corps. It looks like he's sticking with it and I promised him my stethoscope but I can't find the damn thing.

His 16th birthday is next month so I want to get him a nice one. Nothing crazy like a doctor's stethoscope but also not a basic one either. I want to have it engraved also.

Do you have any suggestions for me? I would appreciate it.

Re: Health professionals - need advice on stethoscopes?

My parents always gets Littman. They are not in health care profession, but this is what they use for personal use. I have one too that they gave me because of my high BP. I'm not sure if you also want to get a Littman. Mine is still in the box so here is the companys # 800-228-3957 and website = www.3M.com/Littman. You're right they are expensive, my parents paid $69.00 for the classice style and this was maybe 5 years ago.

I hope this helps

Re: Health professionals - need advice on stethoscopes?

You can get him a lightweight Littman ($45)or a Welch Allyn stethoscope. My first stethoscope was a welch allyn. Keep in mind, steths are lost pretty frequently. You could get away with a lesser expensive nursing steth and get him something more expensive if he sticks with it later on. I wouldn't spend too much money anyways at this point.

Re: Health professionals - need advice on stethoscopes?

Thank you very much for your suggestions.

Not that it will deter the most heinous of thieves, but I'm planning on getting it engraved with his name also.

I used to keep my Littman hanging from my rear view mirror. It's amazing that it never got stolen!

I went looking at Littmans last night and found a middle of the road model that has custom colors and engraving available (Classic II S.E.).

I'm not too concerned about cost because he's not only my nephew, he's also my Godson, following in my volunteering footsteps and it's a special birthday. I don't plan on spending hundreds, but want it to be special too, because he is to me.

If he loses it or it gets stolen, we'll have to take that chance. But the sentiment will still be there from his Aunt Tiesha.

Re: Health professionals - need advice on stethoscopes?

I have the littman lightweight II and it's perfect. I wouldn't spend anymore $ than that b/c, imo, there's really no need to. Also, i have that thing hanging around my neck for almost 13 hrs a night- the lightness of it is certainly appreciated at that point.

Re: Health professionals - need advice on stethoscopes?

I get all of my stethoscopes from AllHeart.com. Their prices are reasonable, customer service is phenomenal, and they ship very fast. Love them!

Allheart

Message edited 4/15/2009 1:02:20 AM.

Re: Health professionals - need advice on stethoscopes?

Thanks again! I got the allheart.com recco from another friend and found what I wanted on it. In addition to the steth, I found a nice BP cuff, shears, and a keychain with a knee joint on it.