These calculators are reference tools for educational use only. ALWAYS verify calculations against your local protocols and confirm with a second source before medication administration. Follow your medical direction and medical control physician. The Firefighter Medic is not responsible for medication errors or adverse outcomes. Read full disclaimer →
Field-ready calculators for meds, drips, burn resuscitation, concentrations, and pump operations. Always follow your local protocols.
Drug dosing, drip rates, weight-based infusions, and concentration mixing
gtt/min = (Desired dose × Solution set × Weight) ÷ (Concentration × Time)
Order: “Dopamine at 5 mcg/kg/min.” Patient 80 kg. Bag: 400 mg in 250 mL D5W. Conc = 1,600 mcg/mL. Rate = (5 × 80 × 60) ÷ 1,600 = 15 mL/hr. Drops per second: 15 gtt/min ÷ 60 = 0.25 drops/sec, or 1 drop every 4 sec.
→ 15 mL/hr | 15 gtt/min | 1 drop every 4 sec
Auto-normalizes all units (mg↔mcg, lb↔kg, per-hr↔per-min) and shows both gtt/min and mL/hr.
gtt/min = (Volume × Drip factor) ÷ Time (min)
Ex 1: 1,000 mL NS over 8 hr (480 min), macrodrip 15 gtt/mL. Ex 2: 500 mL over 30 min, microdrip 60 gtt/mL.
Ex 1 → 31 gtt/min Ex 2 → 1,000 gtt/min (pump-only rate)
Make a new concentration or a specific dose in a target volume.
Mode A — Make Epi 1:100,000: Stock (C1) = 0.1 mg/mL (1:10,000). Final volume 10 mL. Target = 0.01 mg/mL (1:100,000). → Draw 1 mL + 9 mL NS.
Mode B — Draw 0.3 mg Epi in 5 mL: Stock 0.1 mg/mL, desired dose 0.3 mg, final volume 5 mL. → Draw 3 mL stock + 2 mL NS.
Step 1: enter the vial label to get the simplified concentration (mg/mL). Step 2: enter the ordered dose to get the volume to draw up.
Step 1 — Vial label
Step 2 — Ordered dose
Total dose = (Dose/kg) × Weight | Volume to draw = Total dose ÷ Concentration
Epi 1:10,000 vial = 1 mg in 10 mL = 0.1 mg/mL. Ordered dose: 0.01 mg/kg. Patient: 14 kg. Total dose = 0.01 × 14 = 0.14 mg. Volume = 0.14 ÷ 0.1 = 1.4 mL.
→ Concentration 0.1 mg/mL · Total dose 0.14 mg · Draw up 1.4 mL
Vial
Dose & Weight
Parkland formula for fluid replacement in burn patients
Total 24h LR = 4 mL × kg × %TBSA. Half in first 8h (from time of burn), remainder over next 16h.
Adult male, 80 kg. 25% TBSA burns. Burn occurred 2 hours ago. 500 mL LR already given en route.
→ Total 8,000 mL · Phase 1 goal 4,000 mL · 3,500 mL remaining ÷ 6 hr = 583 mL/hr · Behind by 500 mL flagged
"First-hour average" (often referenced as a quick start) = Total ÷ 16. Adjust using elapsed time to meet the 0–8h goal.
Fluid Volume (mL) = 0.25 mL × kg × %TBSA
80 kg patient with 30% TBSA burns. 0.25 × 80 × 30 = 600 mL.
→ 600 mL
Friction loss, nozzle pressure, and pump discharge calculations
PDP = Nozzle Pressure + Friction Loss + Appliance + Elevation
Standard residential attack line: 1¾" pre-connect, 150 GPM fog nozzle at 100 psi NP, 200 ft of hose, no elevation or appliance loss. FL = 15 × (1.5)² × 2 = 67.5 psi.
→ FL ≈ 67.5 psi | PDP ≈ 167.5 psi
Elevation ≈ 0.5 psi per foot gain (downhill subtract).
Coefficients and target nozzle pressures vary by department and equipment. Use your agency standards.
These tools assist with calculations but do not replace clinical judgment or agency policy.