RideAlong: EMT School

Tied to Machines That Make Me Be (Special Patient Populations)

Some patients require EMTs to slow down, adapt, and think beyond the standard call. In this episode, we break down special patient populations, including patients with developmental disabilities, cognitive differences, hearing or vision impairment, chronic illness, mobility challenges, and technology-dependent medical needs. Mike, Max, and Jonathon discuss how EMTs can approach these calls with empathy, patience, and structure — from communicating with autistic patients and relying on caregivers, to understanding home ventilators, tracheostomy tubes, LVADs, feeding tubes, catheters, ostomy bags, central lines, and VP shunts. We also dig into abuse, neglect, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, mandated reporting, and the role EMTs play in recognizing vulnerable patients who may not be able to advocate for themselves. This episode is all about meeting patients where they are, respecting their dignity, and figuring out what matters most right now. -------------------------------------- Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Intro, episode setup, and life updates 17:59 – Medical Term of the Week: Autism Spectrum Disorder 29:58 – Special patient populations and adapting your EMT approach 35:31 – Disabilities and developmental disabilities 39:09 – Cerebral palsy, ALS, Parkinson’s, and cognitive disabilities 48:01 – Hearing and vision impairment 53:33 – Renal failure and dialysis patients 58:09 – Neuromuscular disorders, stroke deficits, and spinal cord injuries 1:08:17 – Terminal illness, hospice, and end-of-life considerations 1:12:24 – Bariatric patients and transport challenges 1:20:04 – Homelessness, poverty, and limited access to care 1:26:21 – Children with special healthcare needs 1:37:50 – Caregivers as a critical resource 1:50:24 – Technology-dependent patients and medical devices 2:14:24 – Abuse, neglect, and mandated reporting 2:28:30 – Intimate partner violence and scene safety 2:34:43 – Human trafficking red flags 2:39:43 – Tools of the Trade: Ambulance Stretchers 2:54:01 – Student Tip of the Week: NREMT-style practice questions 3:07:15 – Wrap-up and closing thoughts -------------------------------------- ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice or official EMT training. Always follow your accredited instructors and local protocols. -------------------------------------- 🚑 RideAlong: EMT School Links https://www.RideAlongEMTSchool.com [https://www.RideAlongEMTSchool.com]

Push It Real Good (OBGYN Emergencies)

Episode 40 is here, and we’re going full term. In this episode, Mike, Max, and Jonathon tackle one of the most intimidating low-frequency, high-acuity topics in EMT school: OB/GYN emergencies. From childbirth and labor complications to gynecological emergencies and the realities of caring for two patients at once, the crew breaks down the concepts EMT students need to understand before the call comes in. The guys also discuss the importance of preparation for rare emergencies, the challenges of learning obstetrics in EMT school, and what’s actually inside the OB kit riding on your ambulance. -------------------------------------- Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Intro 04:50 – Why OB/GYN emergencies can feel intimidating in EMT school 07:57 – Support the show / “Buy us a Monster” 09:38 – Disclaimer and discussion about sensitive terminology 17:14 – Medical Term of the Week: APGAR Score 27:00 – Pregnancy terminology and stages of labor 37:00 – Normal childbirth and EMT priorities 57:00 – Complicated deliveries and childbirth emergencies 01:24:00 – Gynecological emergencies 01:52:00 – Trauma and special considerations in pregnancy 02:11:00 – Why OB emergencies are low-frequency but high-acuity 02:12:44 – Tools of the Trade: The OB Kit 02:31:00 – Test-taking strategies and future NREMT prep episodes 02:32:23 – Closing thoughts -------------------------------------- ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice or official EMT training. Always follow your accredited instructors and local protocols. -------------------------------------- 🚑 RideAlong: EMT School Links https://www.RideAlongEMTSchool.com [https://www.RideAlongEMTSchool.com]

Can You Take Me Higher (Altitude, Water, and Animals)

Environmental emergencies don’t stop at heat and cold — sometimes the real danger comes from water, altitude, and the creatures around us. In this episode, we dive into drowning, diving injuries, high-altitude illness, and bites and stings. We break down what’s actually happening in the body, what EMTs should be looking for, and how to manage these situations in the field — all while sharing real-world experiences (and a few mistakes) along the way. -------------------------------------- Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Intro & Life After EMT School (real-world pressure hits different) 11:00 – Episode Overview: Environmental Emergencies Pt. 2 15:45 – Medical Term of the Week: Acute Mountain Sickness 32:30 – Water-Related Emergencies & Drowning 53:25 – Diving Accidents & Scuba Complications (Air Embolism, Decompression Sickness) 1:26:30 – High-Altitude Emergencies (HAPE & HACE) 1:40:00 – Bites, Stings, and Envenomation 2:05:00 – Tools of the Trade: Flashlights 2:16:30 – Student Tip: NREMT-Style Questions -------------------------------------- ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice or official EMT training. Always follow your accredited instructors and local protocols. -------------------------------------- 🚑 RideAlong: EMT School Links https://www.RideAlongEMTSchool.com [https://www.RideAlongEMTSchool.com]

EMS 20/20 Simulcast - Split the Party

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 straightforward cardiac arrest turned into a two-patient nightmare, tough decision-making, and the kind of curveballs you only get in real EMS—or a tabletop scenario run by EMS 20/20. This episode is a mix of education, improvisation, and a lot of laughs… but underneath it all is a real look at teamwork, scene management, and thinking under pressure when everything goes sideways. Huge thanks to EMS 20/20 for having us on—go give them a follow and check out their show. -------------------------------------- Episode Breakdown 00:00 – RideAlong intro + setup for the collab 00:00:32 – Episode concept: EMS scenario meets D&D-style gameplay 00:08:04 – EMS 20/20 intro + scenario rules explained 00:14:14 – Dispatch: 70 y/o male, AMS, difficulty breathing 00:17:40 – Update: CPR instructions in progress 00:22:02 – Arrival on scene + access problem (locked house) 00:30:50 – Patient contact: CPR in progress, chaotic scene 00:37:24 – Additional responders arrive (team expands) 00:44:04 – Second patient identified (spouse deteriorating) 00:56:00 – Cardiac arrest management continues (ALS pending) 01:07:24 – ALS arrives, dual-patient management begins 01:18:21 – STEMI identified → flight activated 01:35:44 – Air medical arrival + patient transfer 01:42:07 – Cardiac arrest declines to asystole 01:46:09 – Decision point: termination of resuscitation 01:52:11 – Scenario breakdown + lessons learned 02:11:48 – Key takeaway: BLS can (and should) activate flight when needed -------------------------------------- ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice or official EMT training. Always follow your accredited instructors and local protocols. -------------------------------------- 🚑 RideAlong: EMT School Links https://www.RideAlongEMTSchool.com [https://www.RideAlongEMTSchool.com]

I Never Meant To Be So Cold (Environmental – Hot and Cold Emergencies)

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 through active versus passive warming and cooling, the physiology behind hypothermia and hyperthermia, and how heat loss, dehydration, exposure, and poor decision-making can all stack together in the field. From frostbite and local cold injuries to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, this episode is all about recognizing problems early and treating temperature emergencies before they spiral. -------------------------------------- Subscribe to the EMS20/20 Podcast! Get notified when our episode goes live. https://ems2020.com/ [https://ems2020.com/] -------------------------------------- Episode Breakdown 00:00:00 – Intro, episode setup, and EMS 20/20 guest appearance discussion 00:11:26 – Medical Term of the Week: Active and Passive Rewarming and Cooling 00:26:13 – Body temperature regulation and homeostasis overview 00:42:00 – Hypothermia: causes, stages, and treatment priorities 01:20:05 – Local cold injuries, frostbite, and field care 01:32:09 – Heat emergencies: heat exhaustion and heat stroke 01:51:20 – Tools of the Trade: Mylar Blankets 02:01:30 – Student Tip of the Week: Test Prep with Jonathan 02:13:29 – Wrap-up and closing thoughts -------------------------------------- ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice or official EMT training. Always follow your accredited instructors and local protocols. -------------------------------------- 🚑 RideAlong: EMT School Links https://www.RideAlongEMTSchool.com [https://www.RideAlongEMTSchool.com]