Emergency Education Consultants

08/18/2025

Chest Decompression: Another great short from the folks at REBELEM.com
4-5 ICS ANTERIOR axillary line is preferred, less chest tissue.
I say use a 2nd gen catheter like the SPEAR or the Russell Pneumofix.
Docs recommend finger throacostomy. I still hold to my belief: most street EMS providers should not have finger thoracostomy. It is a skill that takes serious initial and continued (often) training. Most EMS systems are not set up to do that correctly.
https://rebelem.com/pneumothorax-decompression-in-emergency-medicine/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pneumothorax-decompression-in-emergency-medicine

Learn practical, evidence-based strategies for pneumothorax decompression in the ED. This REBEL Core Cast episode covers ultrasound confirmation, limitations of needle decompression, and why finger thoracostomy is the preferred approach for tension pneumothorax.

05/06/2025

I had a great time presenting in North Carolina today. McKenzie Beamer and her team do a great job!

05/06/2025

Getting ready to present two important topics at the North Carolina Office of EMS Conference thrn it’s off to Lake Placid for the Primsry Assessment Conference.

04/23/2025

If anyone listened to the two podcasts about S*x Matters and has any questions, please feel free to ask.

09/10/2024

EXETER HOSPITAL ALS:
Since everyone keeps contacting me, here is what I know:
Exeter hospital was bought out by Beth Israel Lahey and they don’t want anything to do with EMS. This was talked about when I was there in 2021. Looks like it finally happened.
They gave the medics 11 days notice Of shutting down the system. This means a ton of communities will not have any ALS coverage in 11 days. And the medics have no ALS jobs anymore. Many with families and close ties to the community.
Dick move by BI Lahey.
When I left/was told to resign, in 2021, it was common knowledge I didn’t like quite a few of the folks I worked with there, the culture was toxic and it was horribly mismanaged by a long-time manager. Almost all of those folks I did t care-for have left so I feel really badly for the medics working there. They are good people and good medics.
I don’t feel bad at all for one person though. Karma people, karma.
This is a huge opportunity for someone to set up a premier ALS intercept system for the area. For years, the manager ignored suggestions about how to set up and improve the system from the medics.
It’s got huge potential.

09/12/2023

Lasix is a good drug, we in EMS are just bad at giving it.
-Michael Frakes