RideAlong: EMT School

EMS 20/20 Simulcast - Split the Party This one’s different—and honestly, one of the most fun (and chaotic) things we’ve ever done. The RideAlong crew teamed up with EMS 20/20 for a special simulcast episode where EMS meets Dungeons & Dragons. Guided by Chris and Spencer, we were dropped into a high-stakes, dice-driven scenario that quickly spiraled into full-blown EMS chaos. What started as a...

Environmental emergencies can sneak up fast, and once the body starts losing its ability to regulate temperature, things can go downhill in a hurry. In this episode, we break down hot and cold emergencies, focusing on how the body responds to temperature extremes, what warning signs EMTs should watch for, and when simple exposure becomes a true medical emergency. Mike, Max, and Jonathan walk throu...

Multisystem trauma patients present one of the biggest challenges in prehospital care — multiple injuries, competing priorities, and the constant risk of rapid deterioration. In this episode, we break down how EMTs identify high-risk trauma patients using mechanism of injury, physiologic findings, anatomic criteria, and special patient considerations, along with how trauma scoring and transport de...

Chest and abdominal trauma can rapidly become life-threatening, even when injuries aren’t immediately obvious. In this episode, we break down blunt and penetrating trauma affecting the thoracic and abdominal cavities, focusing on injuries that can compromise breathing, circulation, and major organ function. We discuss pneumothorax, hemothorax, flail chest, internal bleeding, and solid organ injuri...

This is Spinal Snap (Neck and Spinal Trauma) Neck and spinal injuries can be subtle, devastating, and easy to miss — making them one of the highest-stakes assessments an EMT will perform. In this episode, we break down spinal anatomy, mechanisms of injury, red flags for spinal cord involvement, and when spinal motion restriction is appropriate. We also discuss how spinal cord injuries can affect b...

Head injuries can change everything in an instant. In this episode, we break down head and skull trauma, including traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and why bleeding or swelling inside the skull can quickly become life-threatening. Mike, Max, and Jonathon discuss mechanisms of injury, signs of increased intracranial pressure, and the importance of identifying subtle neurological changes e...

Great tools don’t just show up in EMS — they’re built by people who understand the problems providers face in the field. In this episode, we sit down with Bob Waddell from SAM Medical to talk about the evolution of hemorrhage control, product design, and what it takes to create equipment that actually works when it matters most. We dive into the story behind SAM Medical, the development of tools l...

Bones break. Joints dislocate. Ligaments stretch and tear. In this episode, Mike, Max, and Jonathan dive into musculoskeletal trauma, one of the most common injury categories EMS providers encounter. The crew breaks down the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system, the difference between fractures, sprains, strains, and dislocations, and how EMTs assess and stabilize extremity injuries in the field....

Burn injuries are some of the most dramatic trauma patients EMS providers encounter — but the real danger often isn’t the burn itself. In this episode, we break down the different types of burns, how to assess burn severity, and why airway compromise, fluid loss, and infection risk make burn patients especially dangerous. Mike, Max, and Jonathan walk through thermal, chemical, and electrical burns...

Soft tissue injuries are some of the most common calls in EMS — and some of the easiest to underestimate. In this episode, we break down contusions, abrasions, lacerations, hematomas, crush injuries, and bleeding control, focusing on what’s happening beneath the surface and why even “minor” trauma can become serious if reassessment is ignored. Mike and Max walk through DCAP-BTLS, distraction injur...

In this special interview episode of the RideAlong: EMT School Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. John Croushorn, Emergency Medicine Physician, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Compression Works, and co-inventor of the AAJT-S. Dr. Croushorn sits down with us to discuss the AAJT-S (Abdominal Aortic and Junctional Tourniquet – Stabilized) — what it is, why it was developed, and where it fits into the...

The trauma block starts now. In this episode, we dive into one of the most time-critical topics in EMS: bleeding and shock. From arterial spurters to sneaky internal hemorrhage, we break down how blood loss kills, how shock develops, and what we can actually do about it in the field. We revisit the lethal trauma triad, talk tourniquets (including junctional applications), and walk through why “tre...

Chris & Spencer - EMS 20/20 (RideAlong Interview) In this special interview episode of the RideAlong: EMT School Podcast, we sit down with Chris Pfingsten and Spencer Oliver, the hosts of the hit podcast EMS 20/20. Chris and Spencer join us to talk about their individual paths into EMS, how their friendship evolved through paramedic school, and how those experiences ultimately shaped the creat...

I Don’t Need Your Civil Warfarin – Hematologic & Renal Emergencies Some of the most dangerous emergencies in EMS don’t look dramatic when you first arrive on scene. In this episode, we dive into hematologic and renal emergencies — the “quiet” problems involving blood, kidneys, dialysis, and anticoagulants that can deteriorate rapidly if key details are missed. Mike, Max, and Jonathan break dow...

Step Back From That Ledge My Friend (Psychiatric Emergencies) Psychiatric and behavioral emergencies are some of the most complex, emotionally charged calls EMS providers will ever respond to. In this episode, we take a deep dive into mental health crises, suicide, and behavioral emergencies—why they’re becoming more common, how they present in the field, and how EMTs can approach these patients s...

Let The Fear Take the Wheel and Steer (Graduation & EVOC) In this episode, we’re officially on the other side of EMT school — but not without one last gut check. We break down our EVOC experience, what we thought emergency vehicle operations would be versus what actually matters, and why “due regard” isn’t just a legal phrase — it’s a mindset. We also reflect on graduation, testing anxiety, an...

ROSC You Like a Hurricane (Resuscitation) Resuscitation is one of the heaviest and most misunderstood topics in EMS. In this episode, we break down what resuscitation really looks like in the prehospital environment — from recognizing cardiac arrest and organizing a response, to understanding rhythms, defibrillation, and when transport versus continued on-scene care makes sense. We also talk candi...

Four Quadrant Death Hunch (Abdominal Emergencies) Abdominal pain is one of the most common — and most underestimated — complaints in EMS. In this episode, we break down abdominal emergencies through anatomy, assessment, and red flags that should immediately raise concern. From peritonitis and appendicitis to abdominal aortic aneurysms and referred pain, we focus on what EMTs need to recognize earl...

The Bitter Taste of Poison (Poisonings & Overdose) Poisonings and overdoses are some of the most common — and most dangerous — calls EMS providers will face. In this episode, we break down how poisons affect the body, the different routes of exposure, and how EMTs recognize and manage overdose emergencies in the field. We also talk toxic syndromes, scene safety, and why airway management and r...

Get Down with the Sepsis (Infectious Disease & Sepsis) In this episode of RideAlong: EMT School, Mike and Jonathan break down infectious diseases and sepsis, focusing on what sepsis actually is, why early recognition matters, and how EMTs play a critical role in patient outcomes. Real-world transport experience, historical context, and EMS-focused decision-making come together to turn a dense...

Rash Against the Machine (Allergic Reactions) Allergies are common. Anaphylaxis is not — and knowing the difference can save a life. In this episode, we break down allergic reactions from mild rashes to full-blown anaphylaxis, why symptoms can escalate fast, and what EMTs need to recognize and act on immediately. From histamine release to airway compromise, epi administration, and transport priori...

Stroke Me, Stroke Me (Stroke and Seizures) This week, the crew dives into one of the most time-critical topics in EMS: strokes. Building on the previous episode’s discussion of altered mental status and diabetic emergencies, Mike, Max, and Jonathon break down stroke recognition, seizures, syncope, and why rapid identification and transport are the most important interventions EMTs can provide. Fro...

Pour Some Sugar Down Me (Diabetic Emergencies and Altered Mental Status) This week, the crew breaks down diabetic emergencies — from hypo vs. hyperglycemia to how sugar levels affect brain function and behavior. Mike, Max, and Jonathon dive into altered mental status, the role of insulin and glucose, and how EMTs assess and manage diabetic patients in the field. -----------------------------------...

Kickstart My Heart (Cardiac Emergencies) This week, the crew digs into one of the most intense and time-critical topics in EMT school — cardiac emergencies. From understanding how the heart actually feeds itself to recognizing the early signs of ACS, Mike, Max, and Jonathan break down what really happens during a heart attack and why seconds matter more than anything. They cover STEMI vs. NSTEMI,...

I'm Down to One Last Breath (Respiratory Emergencies) This week, the crew breaks down respiratory emergencies — from dyspnea and lung sounds to asthma, COPD, pneumonia, CHF, and pulmonary embolisms. Mike, Max, and Jonathan explore what respiratory distress looks like, how to differentiate major causes, and the tools EMTs use to treat breathing problems in the field. -------------------------------...