When was the last time you worked a code? If you serve a busy, urban area, or a population heavy on retirees, you probably remain proficient in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Drug therapies and dosages, intubation procedures, and post-resuscitation care are part and parcel to busy EMS systems. But what if you work in a slow-paced, rural setting, where the calls are few and far between? What happens to your ACLS skills if you rarely use them? Most likely, you lose them.

When we think of portable suction units, we typically picture the prehospital scenario: working a cardiac arrest poolside, managing the unresponsive patient at a nursing home, or treating the trauma patient trapped in a vehicle. But portable suction plays a vital role within the hospital setting. Let's review some of the strategies that should be employed when making strategic decisions about portable suction for hospitals.

As the summer wanes, and kids return to school, you, as an emergency responder, may be lulled into believing that the risk of drowning has subsided or at least diminished significantly. As the fall approaches, fewer people are engaged in water sports, vacations are winding down, and swimming is less of a focus.

The lives of people with disabilities have changed dramatically over the past 50 years. Just decades ago, many individuals with disabilities would have been institutionalized; hidden away from society. But with greater understanding and broader social support, those with physical and mental challenges are now leading fuller, longer, and more active lives. Which means that as EMS responders, you will encounter these individuals with greater frequency.

It was a typical hectic Monday. Traffic was backed up; the young father was running late, and he was scheduled to give a presentation at the office in less than an hour. At the last minute, his wife asked him to drop their two-year-old off at daycare. As he sat in traffic, he reviewed his presentation in his head. When traffic finally got moving, he made a beeline for the office.

Anybody in emergency medical services knows the critical role pre-planning plays in the success of your operations. As an emergency responder, you must be ready to confront a wide range of critical situations. It is not enough to learn from your mistakes—you must actively pursue training and educational opportunities that provide real-world situations and responses.

Each change of season brings special challenges for EMS professionals. Depending on where you live, and the climate in which you respond, temperature extremes can dictate specific precautions when it comes to equipment maintenance. In the extreme north, where heavy snowfall impedes response, specialized gear such as tires and protective clothing may need to be employed.