The Balance of Spontaneous Ventilation
So the next question is: what causes us to breathe in and what causes us to breathe out?
WHAT!?! An IO in someones head?
Subdural hematomas (SDHs)—particularly chronic and subacute—are a common neurosurgical challenge, especially in the elderly population. As EMS providers, we frequently encounter patients with signs and symptoms that may point toward SDH: headache, confusion, focal neurological deficits, or a history of recent falls. While our role focuses on identification and rapid transport, understanding the evolving landscape [...]
Can I Use Online Continuing Education Towards Recertification?
Can I Use Online Continuing Education Towards Recertification? If you're an EMS professional looking to stay certified, you might be wondering if online continuing education (CE) counts toward your recertification. The short answer? Yes. The long answer? It not only counts—but with the right provider, it can actually make your life a whole lot easier. [...]
Responding to Terrorist incidents: An EMS Perspective part 2
Scene Safety and Situational Awareness Scene safety is always the top priority on any EMS call, and this cannot be overstated when responding to a potential terrorist incident. Major incident training ingrains in us that we must “prioritize [our] own personal safety above that of the scene and survivors” ( Risks to emergency medical responders at [...]
Responding to Terrorist Incidents: An EMS Perspective part 1
Imagine this scenario: It’s a busy evening and your ambulance pulls up to chaos – flames billow from a row of vehicles in a campus parking lot, including a Tesla that’s fully engulfed. Students are fleeing in panic from what began as a protest that has now turned violent. As an EMS responder, the scene triggers [...]
Managing the Obstetrical Airway
"When faced with managing the airway of the pregnant patient, it is important to understand the anatomic and physiologic changes that occur during gestation. Not only does the pregnant female have to oxygenate, ventilate, perfuse and nourish the developing fetus, specific anatomic changes occur due to hormonal changes and fluctuations due to pregnancy. Often, intubation and [...]
Airway Assessment To The Letter (Or Number)
Predicting the difficult airway is a combination of art and science. Sometimes the airway that looks relatively easy to manage can turn out to be a nightmare and the supposedly difficult airway based on external assessment can be managed relatively simple to maintain. A good rule of thumb is to always hope for the best [...]
From Impact to Impairment: A First Responder’s Look at Traumatic Brain Injury and Early-Onset Alzheimer’s
As an emergency medical responder, I’ve seen firsthand how one fall, crash, or strike to the head can change a life forever.
Mechanical Ventilation: A Double Edge Sword
The role and consequences of mechanical ventilation during transport is something that must be both understood and respected. While it can free up much needed manpower and allow for more consistent delivery of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide, it can also have negative effects if applied incorrectly. Broadly speaking, mechanical ventilation can be utilized [...]
The Bridge from Military Medic to Paramedicine
As time passes some things get worse and some things get better. With the transition from active-duty military service to a civilian career many times service members are starting over, which as many know is a daunting task. I got off active duty in 2014 and at that time I saw no clear path to utilizing [...]