Based on the Crash and Learn 2022 special feature presentation, we sit down with Jonathan Godfrey and Chris Stevenson to discuss the EMS helicopter crash that had a dramatic effect on both of their lives. Jonathan is the sole survivor of a 3-person crew, and Chris was part of his leadership team at the time of the incident. We carefully examine both perspectives and how the rest of us can learn from their experiences. Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE! ...

Whether it is upper or lower, gastrointestinal hemorrhages can present in a variety of ways from a variety of sources. Bleeding esophageal varices, in particular, can be life-threatening. How do we manage these patients? When is it appropriate to establish an advanced airway? Are gastrointestinal tubes contraindicated even though the patient is vomiting? And what do we do when an esophageal tamponade device is indicated or already in place? Tune in to another podcast episode where we discuss...

Whether it's radio or bedside reporting, communication is a requirement of safely handing off patients. How do we build confidence in our ability to communicate about our patients? How do we develop qualities such as professionalism, accuracy, and conciseness that are essential to our reports? And if we experience interpersonal conflict, how do we resolve it? Tune in to this podcast episode where we discuss how to effectively communicate with other medical providers. Get CE hours for our...

Having an appropriate mindset is crucial when it comes to airway management, particularly in a prehospital and/or emergency setting. Whether it's team dynamics or the tools at our disposal, we need to have a different outlook when it comes to addressing the A in ABC's. If you are looking for a comprehensive guide on how to RSI, this is not the episode for you. This is simply a table discussion about appropriate perspective. Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE! ...

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is always in the back of our minds when treating polytrauma patients. Unfortunately, the evidence has a controversial history. More and more, we are reminded of how a basic approach is much more important than other therapies that have little evidence to support their effectiveness. In fact, some may even cause harm. Tune in to a podcast where we debunk these common TBI myths. Also, this is the debut episode of Dr. Amanda Humphries-Ventura as an official HLTH...

Heat illness is prevalent around this time of year. And compared to hypothermia, hyperthermia has a lower threshold for danger. From heat cramps to heat stroke, clinicians need to know how to identify and treat each stage appropriately. But what contributes to severe heat illness? How do we treat each stage of illness? And how much time do we have before it becomes fatal? From Texan turned Aussie, we are joined by Dr. Justin Hensley, Flight Physician, to discuss. Get CE hours for our podcast...

It's no secret that we as emergency and critical care professionals are expected to perform highly in high pressure situations. Unfortunately, none of us are immune to limited cognitive capacity, task saturation/fixation, time pressure, negative team dynamics, and poor communication. How can we mitigate these variables, so that we can continue to effectively operate in our respective fields? Join us for an insightful podcast episode where Dr. Stephen Hearns explains how. Get CE hours for our...

What should you carry in your flight suit as an American-based HEMS provider? In our opinion, no one can definitively tell you that. But we can attempt to share some ideas based on our personal experiences and training. In this vodcast, Mike shares what he currently carries in his flight suit; from survival gear to medical equipment. Watch the vodcast on our YouTube channel at /heavyliesthehelmet. Brands include: One Shear ER Life Benchmade Foursevens Fisher Space Pen Littmann Nite...

Mores lies! But this time, we focus on empirical use of spinal immobilization devices and the harm associated with them. The dogma surrounding this topic is staggering, to say the least. From EMS agencies to Level 1 tertiary centers, cervical collars and long spine boards (LSB) remain a "standard" predicated on a lack of evidence. What evidence DO we have regarding spinal immobilization? And how should we restrict spinal movement of polytrauma patients based on that evidence? Tune in to...

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common metabolic disorder, particularly in the pediatric population. If treated inappropriately, these patients can quickly decompensate to the point of hypovolemic shock, acute respiratory failure, and even cerebral herniation. What are the physiological differences behind DKA verses HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Syndrome)? What are some simple methods to identify DKA in the field? How do we effectively treat DKA? And how should we monitor our...

There are a lot of "lies"/misunderstandings surrounding appropriate use of paralytics AKA neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs). When are these medications truly indicated? How do we appropriately administer them? How do we accurately monitor these patients? And how do we reverse the effects of NMBAs? Tune in to another pharmacologically driven podcast where we draft our EM pharmacist friend, Chase Turner, to discuss. Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE! ...

The clotting cascade, particularly in the context of anti-coagulation reversal can be complex to understand. Unfortunately, many of our patients are on anti-coagulation agents that require reversal in the presence of life-threatening hemorrhage. How do we choose the most appropriate agent based on which step of the coagulation cascade that it antagonizes? And when is it time to pull the trigger on doing so? In this podcast episode, we discuss this intense topic. Get CE hours for our podcast...

Which is the lesser evil, opioid or naloxone overdose? To avoid adverse effects, how should we be administering naloxone in the presence of opioid overdose? In this podcast episode, we are joined by Dr. Arne Skulberg, anesthesiologist and lead author, to discuss his recently published RCT comparing intranasal with intramuscular naloxone. We highlight naloxone dose discrepancies and the pitfalls surrounding intravenous administration of it. Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE! ...

An incapacitated pilot scenario is an unfortunate but potential reality of working in rotor and fixed wing EMS. What do you do as medical crew members if your pilot becomes incapacitated? What training and capabilities do you have to revive the pilot and/or get the aircraft on the ground? Do some Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) incidents actually involve an incapacitated pilot? In this podcast episode, we are joined by Pilot Wade Dunford and Flight Paramedic Scott Davis to discuss...

Transport of patients with ongoing CPR to the correct treatment center is a high risk but potentially lifesaving intervention. Mechanical CPR (mCPR) devices are recommended to reduce risk and maintain chest compression quality. However, such transports have inherent pitfalls to both patient and provider safety. This is a poorly studied field of our practice and no clear consensus for how this should be done exists. In this podcast episode, we are joined by Dr. Per Olav Berve to discuss the...

Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) come in many shapes and sizes. From right to left, extracorporeal to intracorporeal, pulsatile to continuous - It can be confusing. Join us for a podcast episode where Allen Wolfe clarifies the confusion and gives us the maximum amount of knowledge we need to succeed while taking care of these patients.

If "you can't handle the truth", you can't handle a mentor. Mentors come in the form of leaders, educators, guides, and advisors to help you with honest self-reflection in order to improve yourself and your practice. Join us from AMTC21 where we discuss the importance of this arrangement with our close friends and fellow mentors, Adam Tresidder and Shane Turner.

Thyroid Storm and Thyrotoxicosis are often misdiagnosed due to presenting similarly to many other disease processes. How do we identify this condition? What are the standard treatment options? And how do we treat a patient who is refractory to conventional therapy? Joined by EM pharmacist, Chase Turner, we discuss all things hyperthyroidism in this podcast episode.

"Kung" means "skillful work" and "Fu" means "time spent". "Resus Kung Fu" refers to the resuscitation skills we acquire over time to become a true master. But how do we achieve mastery of these cognitive abilities and technical skills? And what role does stress inoculation play in training? Join us and Dr. Michael Lauria in this podcast episode where we answer these questions.

Have you ever been hiking in the woods and wondered what emergency medical services are available in case you got injured? The level of scope varies greatly across the country for wilderness emergency medical and SAR technicians. From first aid to critical care, in this podcast episode, we discuss who is coming, what their capabilities are, and how David Fifer is trying to change that model.

Sometimes, we're wrong. And when it comes to normal saline, we might be. Tune in to a breaking news podcast of sorts where we discuss the recently published BaSICS Randomized Clinical Trial, and how it affects our practice in regard to balanced fluid resuscitation.

Though the incidents of crush injuries may be low in frequency, major crush injury syndrome is associated with a high mortality rate. In this podcast episode, we sit down with regular guest, Chris Stevenson, to discuss the "why". We highlight the pathophysiology behind re-perfusion injury and pre- and post-treatment options.

How do you decide between non-invasive and invasive ventilation? If you decide on non-invasive ventilation (NIV), how do you choose between heated high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), C-pap, or Bipap? And what critical decision-making tools do you utilize when escalating to intubation? In this podcast episode, we are joined by Flight Respiratory Therapist, Jon Inkrott, to answer those questions and more.

Managing Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) patients is a concept that many of us learn early on in our careers. Because of that, we can potentially underestimate the importance of our interventions. In this podcast episode, we are joined by Dr. Gottula and Dr. Skrobut to discuss timely management of AMI's, when coronary intervention (PCI) is indicated, and what medications we should consider to achieve maximal medical management of a patient suffering an AMI in 2021.

There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the meaning of certain lab values and what a positive truly is. Are these numbers as black and white as they are perceived? In this podcast episode, we discuss sensitivity versus specificity, define some of the most common labs and how to avoid tunnel vision when it comes to your clinical interpretation.