Prolonged Field Care Podcast

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis interviews Jessica, known as the Combat Midwife, who shares her extensive experience in both paramedicine and midwifery. The conversation delves into the critical issues surrounding postpartum hemorrhage, the mismanagement of obstetrics, and the importance of proper labor management. Jessica emphasizes the need for understanding the physiological process...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and Kevin dive deep into the complexities of ketamine, exploring its pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and practical applications in emergency medicine. They discuss the drug's disassociative properties, its analgesic effects, and the importance of individualized dosing based on patient physiology. The conversation also touches on the risks of catec...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Noel discusses the complexities and challenges of maritime medicine, emphasizing the importance of training, knowledge, and operational flexibility. He shares insights from his extensive experience, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the ocean and the necessity of effective communication and integration with host nation partners. Noel advocates for a focus...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and Max discuss the evolving landscape of modern combat injuries, focusing on neck and upper chest injuries. They delve into the anatomy of the neck, the importance of understanding different zones for surgical intervention, and effective hemorrhage control techniques. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of teamwork in trauma care and the necess...

This podcast episode explores the innovative use of maggot therapy in wound care, discussing its historical context, benefits, and applications in various medical settings, particularly in austere environments. The conversation highlights the importance of maggot therapy as a cost-effective and efficient treatment option, especially in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance. The speakers emph...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, the speaker discusses the Ridge Healer exercise, a tactical training program designed for small surgical and resuscitation teams operating in unconventional warfare environments. The conversation covers various aspects of the exercise, including operational challenges, team dynamics, communication strategies, patient care during transport, and the importance of...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and Alex delve into the topic of forced vital capacity in the context of chest trauma. They discuss a research paper that explores the assessment of forced vital capacity for risk stratification of blunt chest trauma patients in emergency settings. The conversation covers the importance of understanding chest wall injuries, clinical guidelines for treatme...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and Doug discuss the critical aspects of analgesia and sedation in emergency and critical care settings. They emphasize the importance of patient safety, comfort, and effective communication among medical teams. The conversation covers decision-making processes for sedation, the types of medications used, and the significance of sedation wake-up trials to...

This podcast episode discusses the challenges and strategies for sustaining distributed medics in denied environments, focusing on unconventional warfare and the importance of medical support as a force multiplier. It explores historical lessons from World War II, modern resupply techniques, and innovative delivery systems for medical supplies, emphasizing the need for sustainability and recycling...

In this podcast episode, Dr. John Holcomb discusses the management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the innovative use of plasma as a treatment option. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the glycocalyx and its role in preventing edema and managing intracranial pressure (ICP). The conversation also highlights the limitations of current guidelines in TBI treatment and the need for prac...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and Jeff delve into the complexities of anoxic brain injury, discussing its causes, recovery processes, and prevention strategies in tactical environments. They emphasize the importance of maintaining oxygen levels, effective airway management, and addressing hypotension and hypoxia. The conversation highlights the critical role of preventing secondary br...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, the speakers discuss their experiences during a mission in Syria, focusing on the challenges and lessons learned from managing mass casualty operations. They emphasize the importance of planning, teamwork, and effective communication in high-stress environments, particularly in the context of medical support for both U.S. and host nation forces. The conversation...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis interviews Dr. John Aho, a general surgeon and emergency medicine expert, discussing the critical topic of needle decompression and the confirmation of placement in cases of tension pneumothorax. Dr. Aho shares his insights on assessing the need for decompression, the techniques and sites for needle placement, and the challenges faced in pre-hospital sett...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and John discuss the complexities of chest trauma management, focusing on the use of chest seals, the importance of patient assessment, and the evolving guidelines in tactical medicine. They explore the debate surrounding the March algorithm, the role of blood transfusions, and the techniques for needle decompression and finger thoracotomy. The conversati...

This conversation highlights a harrowing experience of combat medics during a mission, detailing the challenges faced during a life-threatening incident. The speakers share their personal accounts of injury, rescue, and the critical medical response that followed. They emphasize the importance of teamwork, humor, and training in high-stress situations, as well as the emotional and physical toll of...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, host Dennis interviews Jeff Ory, a recent medical graduate and former infantryman, discussing the critical topic of tension pneumothorax and the techniques for needle decompression. They explore the historical data on tension pneumothorax mortality, the effectiveness of different decompression sites, and the risks associated with the procedure. The conversation...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and Alex Drum discuss the Massimo EMMA device, focusing on its functions, calibration, and clinical applications. They explore the importance of understanding waveforms, interpreting end-tidal CO2 values, and the significance of training and familiarity with medical equipment. The conversation emphasizes the need for proper monitoring techniques and troub...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Paul discusses the evolving landscape of medical support in irregular warfare, emphasizing the importance of training non-medics and leveraging technology like AI to enhance medical training and support. He shares insights from his extensive experience in military medicine and highlights the need for comprehensive education and collaboration among medical profes...

The conversation delves into the complexities of end of life care in combat settings, emphasizing the need for palliative care discussions among military medical personnel. It highlights the challenges faced in recognizing non-survivable injuries, the decision-making process in resuscitation efforts, and the importance of compassionate care for both patients and their loved ones. The discussion al...

This podcast episode discusses the evolution and current state of battlefield medicine, focusing on the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines, training tiers, and the importance of evidence-based practices. The conversation highlights the challenges faced in implementing these guidelines and the ongoing efforts to improve trauma care in combat situations. Key updates to the TCCC curricul...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dr. Givens discusses the importance of civilian involvement in medical emergencies, particularly in conflict and disaster situations. He shares the origin of a new medical initiative aimed at training laypeople to respond effectively to trauma care. The conversation highlights the need for accessible medical resources and the development of a user-friendly guide...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and Kateryna discuss the complexities of trauma care in Ukraine, focusing on a specific case study involving a soldier injured by a drone explosion. They explore the challenges faced in medical response, including the importance of training, communication, and the need for standardized procedures. The conversation highlights the lessons learned from past...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Givens discusses the complexities of dealing with CBRNE patients in the field, emphasizing the need for a methodical approach to treatment. He introduces the March concept, which integrates CBRNE protocols into tactical care, and outlines the importance of agent identification and treatment protocols. The conversation covers the management of CBRNE patients across diff...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Brock shares his journey into critical care medicine, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, essential knowledge for paramedics, and the challenges faced in the field. He discusses the rigorous training and experiences required to excel in flight medicine, the significance of the FPC certification, and the learning curve associated with transitioning from mil...

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and Ethan discuss the complexities of managing chest trauma in pre-hospital settings, focusing on the controversial topic of finger thoracostomy versus needle decompression. They explore the challenges of existing protocols, the importance of training and diagnostics, and the need for better data collection to improve outcomes in trauma care. The conversa...