Clinical Practice Radio (CPR)

In this episode, the team is joined by St John WA Extended Care Paramedic Lead Pat O'Dal to explore the role of palliative care in paramedicine and the broader health system.  They discuss what palliative care really means, challenging the common misconception that it is simply end-of-life care. The conversation focuses on providing patient-centred care, supporting quality of life, and understandi...

In this episode, the team explores what it really means to be “fit for duty” and why physical health is so important for first responders. Joined by paramedic and personal trainer Mark Henderson, they discuss the physical demands of the role, from long periods of inactivity to sudden high‑intensity tasks like lifting and carrying patients, and how this can increase the risk of injury if you’re not...

In this episode of Clinical Practice Radio (CPR), the team unpacks what resilience really means for paramedics and other first responders working in high‑pressure environments. They explore why resilience is not a fixed trait, but something that needs to be built, maintained and regularly reassessed across both work and personal life. They discuss how factors like sleep, nutrition, relationships a...

In this first episode of season two, the team explores crush injury and crush syndrome, discussing how these patients present, why they can deteriorate rapidly, and the importance of early recognition in the pre-hospital environment. The conversation covers the difference between local crush injuries and the wider systemic effects that can occur after extrication, including why long lies and seemi...

In this episode, the team explores two critical but often overlooked parts of pre-hospital care: handovers and debriefing. They discuss why clear communication shapes patient outcomes, how structured handovers help deliver concise, relevant information, and why preparation and confidence matter in high-pressure environments. The conversation also covers adapting handovers to the patient, setting a...

In this episode, the team explores the evolving approach to patient extrication, with insights from DFES rescue officer Andrew “Strunky” Strunk. They unpack the evidence behind the Extrication in Trauma (EXIT) project, challenging long-held practices, particularly the low incidence of spinal cord injury, and the shift away from movement minimisation toward faster, patient-focused extrication. A pr...

In this episode, the team turns their focus to major burns, one of the most complex and confronting presentations in pre-hospital care. They discuss what defines a major burn, the systemic cascade that follows large TBSA injuries, and key priorities including early cooling, analgesia, fluid management, airway considerations, hypothermia prevention and transport decisions. A practical refresher for...

In this episode, the team tackles some of the most enduring myths in emergency medical services and asks a simple question: are we still doing things because they work, or because it’s how they’ve always been done? Topics include analgesia and pain management, soft tissue injuries and the RICE principle, oxygen use in COPD patients, ketamine and haemodynamic effects, tourniquet use, and other long...

In this episode, the team takes a deep dive into Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) — one of the most complex and confronting scenarios in pre-hospital care. They explore what truly defines an MCI, why early recognition and declaration using tools like METHANE is critical, and how structured command and communication can bring order to chaotic scenes. The team also breaks down modern triage approaches...

In this episode, the team is joined by Jason Belcher, Resuscitation Improvement Specialist at St John WA, to explore what makes the biggest difference in surviving an Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA). With a background in paramedicine, research and education, Jason’s work focuses on strengthening the entire chain of survival, from community recognition and bystander CPR through to high-perfor...

In this episode, the team is joined by Greta Hammer, a Clinical Lead Paramedic, to unpack red flag ECG findings in syncope. Greta has a special interest in cardiology and the nuances of ECGs, a passion that began during her years working under a cardiologist here in Perth, before transitioning to her career as a paramedic with St John WA. Since then, she has been involved in educating new paramedi...

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses birth experiences, including potentially distressing or sensitive content. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode, the team is joined by the incredible Mel Gardiner, a highly experienced paramedic with over 20 years on the road and a passion for improving maternal care in the pre-hospital space. Mel talks through the nuances of maternal assessment,...

In this episode, the team dive into the critical but often under-discussed phase of post-ROSC (Return of Spontaneous Circulation) care in non-traumatic adult cardiac arrest. Achieving ROSC is a major win, but it's just the beginning. What comes next can be the difference between survival and meaningful recovery. They break down the essential steps for optimising airway, ventilation, circulation, a...

In this episode, the team unpack the vital topic of human factors—the skills and attributes beyond the technical that shape effective clinical performance. They explore how elements like situational awareness, communication, stress management, and decision-making influence paramedic practice in unpredictable environments. The conversation dives into the cognitive load faced on scene, how preparati...

In this episode, the team dives into the high-acuity, low-occurrence world of penetrating trauma, a critical but often under-practiced area in pre-hospital care. They explore how limited exposure can impact clinical confidence —and discuss how cognitive overload can affect approaches during major trauma situations. The conversation introduces the “STAB-5” approach, a UK-based system designed to gu...