Open Airways: Stories from the back of the ambulance
Man Down
Dan Barry
“We got called for a man down on a bus in the city. … The initial assessment reveals that we’ve got this male patient lying there. His airway’s open, but he’s not breathing and he doesn’t have a pulse. So, we begin CPR … and one of my crew members says, ‘Hey, I’ve got blood on my hands…’ Blood’s coming from some place, and we’re going, ‘Where’s it coming from?’” Dan tells Charlie Soucheray the story of a presumed medical call that turned into something quite different.
Open Airways is a project to capture an oral history for the benefit of the EMS Community. EMS responders share some of the most meaningful cases of their careers, sometimes with humor and always with compassion. We hope that they will help us improve your practice and inspire a new generation of caregivers.
This series is produced by FISDAP with the support of EMSResponder.com. Listen to the latest features here and look for the series archive at openairways.net.
To share your most meaningful case and the lesson it taught you, call FISDAP Open Airways at 1.651.314.7424
EMS EXPO Spotlight: Pandemic Planning
EMS EXPO presenter Erik Gaull discusses pandemic planning for EMS agencies. Erik is a featured speaker at EMS EXPO and will be presenting on Pandemic Flu Planning and New & Emerging Technologies for EMS Responders . EMS EXPO is scheduled for October 26–30 in Atlanta, GA. For more information, visit www.emsexpoevents.com.
EMS EXPO Spotlight: Social Media
EMS EXPO presenter Greg Friese discusses the role of social media in EMS education and communication. Greg is a featured speaker at EMS EXPO and will be presenting on Trends in Online Education for Emergency Responders and Understanding & Using Social Networking. EMS EXPO is scheduled for October 26–30 in Atlanta, GA. For more information, visit www.emsexpoevents.com.
Economic Challenges for EMS
Is the economy having an adverse affect on emergency medical service crews? Thom Dick, columnist at EMS Magazine and quality care coordinator at Platte Valley Ambulance in Brighton, CO, talks about the challenges EMS crews are facing due to budget cutbacks as part of The Brian Lehrer Show’s Uncommon Economic Indicators series.
EMS News Extras: Air Medical Safety Update
Your Uncommon Economic Indicators: EMS Crews
Dr. Bryan Bledsoe
Is the economy having an adverse affect on emergency medical service crews? Thom Dick, columnist at EMS Magazine and quality care coordinator at Platte Valley Ambulance in Brighton, CO, talks about the challenges EMS crews are facing due to budget cutbacks as part of The Brian Lehrer Show’s Uncommon Economic Indicators series.
Safety Week for EMS: Health and Wellness
Health and Wellness
Gary Ludwig
As part of the “2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week,” Chief Gary Ludwig discusses his top safety concerns and advice for EMS responders. In this interview he discusses the importance of preventative health care and screenings, maintaining an appropriately healthy lifestyle and setting an example for others.
Gary Ludwig is a nationally recognized fire and EMS expert whose works include regular columns for Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com, and whose previous publications include EMS Magazine. He currently serves as a deputy fire chief for the Memphis, Tennessee Fire Department. He retired as Chief Paramedic from the St. Louis Fire Department in 2001 after 25 years of employment with the city. Chief Ludwig also currently serves as Chairman for the EMS Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, sponsor of Safety Week. Learn more about him at www.garyludwig.com.
Safety Week for EMS: Helicopter Operations
Helicopter Operations
Gary Ludwig
As part of the “2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week,” Chief Gary Ludwig discusses his top safety concerns and advice for EMS responders. During this episode he talks about the currently high risks associated with the air medical industry and shares some advice for safe operations.
Gary Ludwig is a nationally recognized fire and EMS expert whose works include regular columns for Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com, and whose previous publications include EMS Magazine. He currently serves as a deputy fire chief for the Memphis, Tennessee Fire Department. He retired as Chief Paramedic from the St. Louis Fire Department in 2001 after 25 years of employment with the city. Chief Ludwig also currently serves as Chairman for the EMS Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, sponsor of Safety Week. Learn more about him at www.garyludwig.com.
Safety Week Series - Courtesy and Customer Service
Courtesy and Customer Service
Gary Ludwig
As part of the “2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week,” Chief Gary Ludwig discusses his top safety concerns and advice for EMS responders. Here he discusses the role of simple courtesy in preventing or diffusing any potential hostility or lack of cooperation from patients and the public.
Gary Ludwig is a nationally recognized fire and EMS expert whose works include regular columns for Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com, and whose previous publications include EMS Magazine. He currently serves as a deputy fire chief for the Memphis, Tennessee Fire Department. He retired as Chief Paramedic from the St. Louis Fire Department in 2001 after 25 years of employment with the city. Chief Ludwig also currently serves as Chairman for the EMS Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, sponsor of Safety Week. Learn more about him at www.garyludwig.com.
Safety Week for EMS: Illness and Injury Prevention
Illness and Injury Prevention
Gary Ludwig
As part of the “2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week,” Chief Gary Ludwig discusses his top safety concerns and advice for EMS responders. In this podcast he discusses illness and injury prevention topics including lifting and moving, protective equipment and infection control.
Gary Ludwig is a nationally recognized fire and EMS expert whose works include regular columns for Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com, and whose previous publications include EMS Magazine. He currently serves as a deputy fire chief for the Memphis, Tennessee Fire Department. He retired as Chief Paramedic from the St. Louis Fire Department in 2001 after 25 years of employment with the city. Chief Ludwig also currently serves as Chairman for the EMS Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, sponsor of Safety Week. Learn more about him at www.garyludwig.com.
Safety Week for EMS: Crime Scenes and Assailants
Crime Scenes and Assailants
Gary Ludwig
As part of the “2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week,” Chief Gary Ludwig discusses his top safety concerns and advice for EMS responders. Here he talks about policies and procedures for responding to crime scenes, as well as responding to psychiatric calls and checking patients for weapons.
Gary Ludwig is a nationally recognized fire and EMS expert whose works include regular columns for Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com, and whose previous publications include EMS Magazine. He currently serves as a deputy fire chief for the Memphis, Tennessee Fire Department. He retired as Chief Paramedic from the St. Louis Fire Department in 2001 after 25 years of employment with the city. Chief Ludwig also currently serves as Chairman for the EMS Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, sponsor of Safety Week. Learn more about him at www.garyludwig.com.