One of the most critical scenarios you will encounter as a paramedic is a patient in respiratory arrest. Whether the arrest is due to a drug overdose, an obstruction preventing a child from moving air, or a gunshot wound to the base of the skull that has knocked out the respiratory centers of the brain, treating respiratory arrest requires preparation, quick action, and the proper equipment. It requires a plan.

The question of whether or not your emergency unit is ready for respiratory emergencies may seem redundant. Of course you are, right? You have the proper certifications and training, a truck laden with fancy equipment, and a brain bursting with knowledge and experience. What else is there, you ask?

When you think about treating patients with head injuries, using an emergency suction pump may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Certainly, airway is your main priority, but we tend to focus more on level of consciousness, spinal immobilization, and assessing for additional trauma than we do on portable suction.

Your portable suction device is a vital piece of equipment, yet you may give it little thought on a shift-by-shift basis. We take for granted the critical role it plays in airway patency, assuming there is no need for preplanning or strategizing. But there are some simple steps you can take to ensure your suction unit remains operational, and part of the life-saving lineup you rely on each shift. Let’s discuss some of the strategies employed when deciding what to include with your portable suction device.

If you serve in an administrative position within your department, you have a lot on your plate. Certifications must be kept up, training requirements must be met, and your personnel must be prepared to respond to an ever-changing EMS landscape, from biological attacks to mass-casualty incidents.

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.

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.

The Heroin Epidemic Impacts EMS

Anyone working in EMS can attest to the dramatic rise in opioid emergencies. It seems the heroin epidemic has spread to every corner of our country, and as it impacts the public, so it impacts emergency responders charged with treating and transporting these patients.