Heavy Lies the Helmet

Acquiring a job in flight medicine is only the beginning. In this presentation to the 2020 Flight Crew Academy graduating class, Mike discusses three archetypes of new hires. He highlights positive and negative behaviors, systematically addressing incompetence, and how to ultimately get off orientation successfully. ------------------------------------------------ Twitter @ heavyhelmet Facebook @...

With the upcoming respiratory season, many of us will be caring for an increased number of pediatric and adult patients with pulmonary disease processes. Obstructive physiology, specifically, can result in an increased strain of resources to effectively care for this critically ill population. In this webinar, Mike, Bryan, and Jordan focus on status asthmaticus and COPD exacerbation. They discuss...

Chris Stevenson is back for a third go-round, so I think that makes him a regular guest on the show. This time, he came at us with a non-clinical topic that peeked our interest... Likely over the years, we find ourselves giving or receiving advice related to flight medicine. As our years of experience have accumulated, so has the length of our rules and mantras related to flying. From military to...

Due to 'The Big C', ECHO Yacht Club was cancelled... but life goes on, and so does our podcast. We decided to turn lemons into lemonade and have our friend and emergency medicine powerhouse Dr. Sal Rezaie join us for a discussion based on what-would-have-been our Yacht Club presentation. Everyone carries a card that says they know how to manage tachydysrhythmias. But what happens when your interve...

Whether it's in regard to scope of practice, clinical judgment, or professional communication, transport is a very dynamic environment. We had the privilege of welcoming the infamous Dr. Cliff Reid to the show to discuss his and Sydney HEMS' approach to all of these areas. Tune in and learn how to be a high level transport provider from one of the best in our industry. Get CE hours for our podcast...

This could quite possibly be one of our most important podcast episodes to date featuring one of the most interesting persons in our industry. What is the opposite of complacency? And how do you know if you are? In this podcast episode, we are joined by Randy Mains, pilot and safety expert, to discuss all things Crew Resource Management (CRM) and the human factors that kill our colleagues. We also...

This could quite possibly be one of our most important podcast episodes to date featuring one of the most interesting persons in our industry. What is complacency? And how do you know if you are? In this podcast episode, we are joined by Randy Mains, pilot and safety expert, to discuss all things Crew Resource Management (CRM) and the human factors that kill our colleagues. We also discuss how you...

High flow nasal cannula is an increasingly popular modality for Acute Respiratory Distress and Failure. Previously, we saw it used mostly in the pediatric population. But as time has went on, especially with the COVID-19 outbreak, this has become an effective means of O2 delivery in all patient groups. With its increased frequency of use, it is only natural that we as transport providers will adop...

How do you calculate your drug dosages? What do you base it on? In this podcast episode, we are joined by Lynn Lamkin, EM pharmacist, to discuss weight based versus non-weight based drug dosages. We also breakdown when true body weight (TBW), ideal body weight (IBW), lean body weight (LBW) or adjusted body weight (ABW) is a more appropriate option. Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE ! ----...

You asked. We answered. In a follow-up to our burn resuscitation podcast episode , we are joined by Chris Stevenson and his burn center Medical Director, Dr. Mike Feldman, to discuss inhalation injuries. Tune in as we discuss the mechanism surrounding inhalation injuries and how to treat them affectively based on anatomical location and poison type. ------------------------------------------------...

Titrating intravenous drips is a source of contention for many providers. This is, in part, due to a wide range of approaches depending on the patient's condition. Further attribution is based on each individual's comfort level and respective professional background (e.g. ICU versus EMS). But what does the literature say regarding this topic? In this podcast episode, we are joined by our CMO and A...

With the rising number of COVID-19 patients, many of our listeners have requested additional information regarding transporting patients in the prone position. Despite refractory hypoxemia, many of these patients are benefiting from the prone position. Based on Episode 17  of the podcast, we updated our information in presentation-form. The following is a live recording of our talk being given at...

Recently, Bryan was asked to present at a local EMS conference. The majority of the audience was ground personnel and student nurses, so he decided to present the why and how of measuring waveform capnography. EtCO2 truly should be the 5th vital sign, so we hope you appreciate this recording. ------------------------------------------------  Twitter @ heavyhelmet Facebook @ heavyliesthehelmet Inst...

Due to a recent outbreak, influenza and COVID-19 have been in the forefront of people's minds. Influenza, in particular, continues to affect all age groups despite it being late in the typical season. In this podcast episode, we discuss the entire course of this disease process; from positive nasopharyngeal swab to downstream ARDS and the complex ventilator management associated with refractory hy...

In this podcast episode, we are joined by Dr. Deep Sharma, Interventional Pulmonologist, to answer listener questions in a rapid fire format. We cover everything from modes of ventilation to respiratory decompensation to snorting sugar dust. You asked. He answers. ------------------------------------------------  Twitter @ heavyhelmet Facebook @ heavyliesthehelmet Instagram @ heavyliesthehelmet Yo...

Proper fluid management in burns is critical to survival. But what happens when we administer too little or too much fluid therapy? In this podcast episode, we are joined by Chris Stevenson to discuss epidemiology and appropriate resuscitation for the prehospital provider. Our discussion includes an assessment of past and current formularies and what you should be using. --------------------------...

Suction-assisted laryngoscopy and airway decontamination (SALAD) was created to assist with the decontamination of a massively soiled airway. We sit down with flight nurse, researcher, and lead author Matt Jensen to discuss this technique and his most recent Air Medical Journal study aimed at investigating its usefulness in training prehospital emergency providers to improve their ability to intub...

The Annual Sim Cup at the Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) is a prestigious event that gathers flight clinicians from all over the world to compete. Jason Peng (ED and Flight NP) and Ellen Parsley (Flight Nurse) of University of Cincinnati Air Care joined forces and took home the 1st place trophy at AMTC19. We use this opportunity to sit down with them and discuss their experience, the prep...

RSI, chemical restraint, or physical restraint? In this podcast episode, we are joined by ED and Flight Nurse Nyssa Hattaway at AMTC19 to discuss medical management and aircraft safety considerations surrounding the patient with acute agitation, excited delirium, and/or drug-induced psychosis. We also touch on Droperidol; an old drug that is finding its way back into the Pyxis and hearts of emerge...

Making her second debut on the podcast, Dr. Cynthia Griffin joins us at AMTC19 to discuss the utility of ultrasound/POCUS. Cynthia presented on this topic and highlighted its indication when following your XABC's (Hemorrhage, Airway, Breathing, Circulation) exam. Are you currently using ultrasound in your practice? If not, are you actively trying to convince your medical director to implement it?...

As an air medical provider, our bread and butter is interfacility transports. Whether at the referring or receiving facility, we deal with Intensivists on a regular basis. What are their expectations? How can we provide the best care for our ICU level patients while simultaneously pleasing the facility staff? Our resident nocturnal Intensivist, Dan Rauh, leads a discussion in this podcast episode...

The title says it all. We hope you will join us. *Standby for more information regarding this unique opportunity to expand your knowledge. ------------------------------------------------  Twitter @ heavyhelmet Facebook @ heavyliesthehelmet Instagram @ heavyliesthehelmet YouTube / heavyliesthehelmet Website  heavyliesthehelmet.com Email  heavyliesthehelmet@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, informat...

In our final Guatemala Educational Aircrew Retreat (GEAR) 2019 podcast episode, we summarize the overall experience. G.E.A.R. was memorable, to say the least. It resulted in currency, competency, and confidence through camaraderie and collaboration. But what do Black Wolf Special Helicopter Operations, RED MED, and HeliSOS Servicios Medicos mean? Where do Chris Sharpe and Chris Gibson come from? W...

Part 1 is on our other podcast platform, After the Call . In this podcast episode, we are again joined by survival experts Chris "Gibbo" Gibson  and Jimmy "Jungle" McSparron  to discuss the concept of tacticool . This common expression is regularly featured on social media when individuals inquire about various gear options for one's person. We discuss the dangerous mindset surrounding this toxic...

With kick off our Guatemala Educational Aircrew Retreat (GEAR 2019) series with an open forum. Located at Guatemala's aviation training center, we sat in a mock airplane, pulled out the lapel mics, and decided to discuss the broad topic of survival. The morning after our jungle excursion inspired a multitude of discussions ranging from fire to survival gear to everything in between. --------------...