RideAlong: EMT School

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. -------------------------------...

I Don't Try the Drugs, but the Drugs Try Me (Pharmacology) This week, the crew dives into one of the most information-heavy chapters in EMT school — Pharmacology. From oxygen to naloxone, Mike, Max, and Jonathan break down the EMT’s limited but life-saving drug box and the rules that govern every dose. They explore the difference between indications and contraindications, introduce the Five Rights...

The Write Stuff (Reassessment, Communication & Documentation) This week, the crew digs into one of the least glamorous but most critical parts of EMS: communication and documentation. From giving clear radio reports to writing legal patient charts, Mike, Max, and Jonathan explore how every word you say (and every note you write) can impact patient care and your career. They break down what mak...

Steven Norman - Indianapolis Paramedic (RideAlong Interview) In this bonus interview, Mike sits down with Steve Norman, Paramedic and District Medic with Indianapolis EMS, for an inspiring look at mentorship, growth, and the journey from small-town EMT to big-city provider. From his first ride-along in West Virginia to coordinating a multi-agency Complex Coordinated Terror Attack (CCTA) workshop a...

The interview of a lifetime (Secondary Assessments) This week, the crew dives into one of the most conversation-driven parts of EMT work — the secondary assessment. After handling life threats in the primary survey, now it’s all about communication, connection, and collecting details that actually tell a patient’s story. Jonathan returns from night shift to rejoin Mike and Max as they break down O...

RideAlong Update (EMS World Expo) In this special bonus episode, Mike goes solo to bring you an inside look at EMS World Expo 2025 in Indianapolis — the largest gathering of EMS professionals, innovators, and educators in the world. From the classroom to the show floor, Mike shares what it’s like to step into the deep end of the EMS industry before even finishing EMT school — the lessons, the surp...

First Impressions Matter (Scene Size-Up, Primary Assessment) In EMS, your first impression can literally save a life. This week, the crew breaks down the scene size-up and primary assessment—the first steps every EMT takes when arriving at an emergency. From assessing safety and forming that “doorway impression” to managing life threats with the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation), Mike and Max...

Proof of Life (Vital Signs) Vital signs are the foundation of every patient assessment—and this week, the crew gets hands-on with the “proof of life.” Mike and Max break down the five core vitals (pulse, respirations, skin, pupils, and blood pressure), plus the “bonus” indicators like oxygen saturation and blood glucose. With Jonathan out this week, the guys tackle class solo—sharing lessons from...

And She’s buying an Airway to Heaven (Airway Management & Ventilation) Airway is everything in EMS, and this week the crew gets hands-on with one of the most critical skills an EMT can learn. Mike, Max, and Jonathan dive into airway anatomy, manual airway maneuvers, suction, BVM ventilation, oxygen delivery devices, and airway adjuncts. From recognizing stridor to mastering the head-tilt chin-...

Prove It or Lose It (Competency Verification & Skills Check) After eight classes, the crew hits a mid-season “prove it” moment. Mike, Max, and Jonathan recap Section One of EMT school and what it’s like to switch from book work to demonstrating real skills under pressure. It’s a lighter, story-driven debrief that still digs into hands-on takeaways—like practicing backboards with head blocks fo...

Stayin’ Alive (CPR Training and Certification) Mike and Max earn their CPR certification — the first major credential on the road to becoming EMTs. With Jonathan adding real-world perspective, the crew covers what high-quality CPR really means, how AEDs actually work, and why chest recoil is just as important as compression depth. From adult compressions to infant rescue breathing, this episode di...

From Cradle to Grave (Life Span Development) Mike and Max (with Jonathan bringing the paramedic perspective) tackle life span development — how EMTs assess and interact with patients differently from infancy through late adulthood. From dehydration in infants, to psychosocial factors in adolescents, to polypharmacy in the elderly, the crew walks through the major age groups and what makes each uni...

Malfunction Junction (Pathophysiology) Mike and Jonathan (flying the “missing man formation” without Max) dive into the toughest class yet: pathophysiology. They tackle the foundational concepts of how the body’s systems work together, what happens when they fail, and why understanding compensation and perfusion is critical for EMTs. From heart and lungs working in tandem, to the different types o...

Talk Nerdy to Me (Medical Terminology & Anatomy Basics) Mike and Jonathan dive into the challenging world of EMT vocabulary, tackling medical terminology and the basics of human anatomy. From anatomical position to directional terms like anterior, dorsal, and proximal, they explore how EMTs learn to speak a common language. The conversation also digs into when to use precise medical jargon ver...

Why EMT School? (Registration, EMT Well-being) In the very first episode of RideAlong: EMT School, Mike and Max dive into why they decided to start EMT school and what it takes to get enrolled. Joined by Jonathon, a working paramedic, the hosts discuss the sacrifices needed to balance training with work and family, the gear and requirements for getting started, and what new EMT students should exp...

Surviving Week One (Diving In To EMS) Mike and Max share what it was like stepping back into the classroom for their first week of EMT school — from being “older students” to navigating the demographics of their new classmates. Joined by Jonathan, a working paramedic, the hosts break down EMT training levels, trauma center designations, and why provider wellness matters if you want to last in this...