DUSTOFF Medic Podcast

COL (ret.) Jonathan Newmark, MD finishes up a fascinating conversation with Max on nerve agents. Dr. Newmark is a true expert in this subject and his depth of knowledge makes this episode a must-hear.
Have a listen, and let us know what you think!

Drs. Will Smith, Steve Rush, and Ben Walrath join us for a great conversation about the role of the military EMS director. These three men have accumulated significant experience leading MEDEVAC/CASEVAC organizations, and their perspective is valuable for flight medics and Flight Surgeons alike.
During the episode, the conversation frequently emphasizes the importance of educational resources for flight docs, especially:

• deployedmedicine.com
• The Joint Trauma System's Pre-deployment Prioritized Read Lists by Clinical Role
• COL Robert Mabry's seminal papers:
  • Mabry, R. L., & De Lorenzo, R. A. (2011). Improving role I battlefield casualty care from point of injury to surgery. US Army Medical Department Journal, 87-92.
  • Mabry, R. L., Apodaca, A., Penrod, J., Orman, J. A., Gerhardt, R. T., & Dorlac, W. C. (2012). Impact of critical care–trained flight paramedics on casualty survival during helicopter evacuation in the current war in Afghanistan. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 73(2), S32-S37.
• Medical direction courses at SOMSA

Furthermore, Dr. Smith highlights the National Association of EMS Physicians Military and Federal Agency Chapter, a relatively new effort in which Dr. Walrath has a leadership role.
Thanks for listening, and be sure to share your thoughts with us via dustoffmedicpodcast.com, on Facebook, or @dustoff.medic.podcast!

Dr. Steven Schauer joins us to discuss supraglottic airways. These devices are often considered to be 'rescue' adjuncts for a 'failed' airway, but this discussion may change the way you approach out-of-hospital airway control. Listen as Dr. Schauer talks about the types of patients who should receive SGAs, tips and tricks for using them, and the importance of training on these devices now matter how simple they appear.
Dr. Schauer discusses why SGAs aren't prevalent yet in the furthest forward units and describes research done by his own team:

• Schauer, S. G., Naylor, J. F., Uhaa, N., April, M. D., & De Lorenzo, R. A. (2020). An Inventory of the Combat Medics' Aid Bag. Journal of special operations medicine : a peer reviewed journal for SOF medical professionals, 20(1), 61–64.

While discussing pitfalls of using SGAs, Dr. Schauer also mentions a very recent study discussing misplaced SGAs:

• Norii, T., Makino, Y., Unuma, K., Hatch, G. M., Adolphi, N. L., Dallo, S., ... & Braude, D. (2021). Extraglottic airway device misplacement: a novel classification system and findings in postmortem computed tomography. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 77(3), 285-295.

Trevor makes reference to the AIRWAYS II Trial...:

• Benger, J. R., Kirby, K., Black, S., Brett, S. J., Clout, M., Lazaroo, M. J., Nolan, J. P., Reeves, B. C., Robinson, M., Scott, L. J., Smartt, H., South, A., Stokes, E. A., Taylor, J., Thomas, M., Voss, S., Wordsworth, S., & Rogers, C. A. (2018). Effect of a Strategy of a Supraglottic Airway Device vs Tracheal Intubation During Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest on Functional Outcome: The AIRWAYS-2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 320(8), 779–791. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.11597

...and he also mentions very well designed checklists in Airway Management in Prolonged Field Care, CPG 80.

Have a listen and let us know what you think!

We begin with a remembrance of our fallen Navy comrades.
Today's episode is the start of our second AAR series. We talk with Joel, an Army flight medic who conducted a hoist mission in combat. His experience is important for several reasons, not least of which because we have a very frank discussion of what can happen when hoist training and maintenance is de-prioritized.
Have a listen and let us know what you think!

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Celiz was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic acts during an engagement with the enemy in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, on July 12, 2018. SFC Celiz saved the life of a wounded soldier from a partner force, and later used his body as a shield to cover the DUSTOFF aircraft that arrived to retrieve the wounded. SFC Celiz was mortally wounded during the engagement.
In this episode, we finish our conversation with the lead flight medic and pilot in command of the aircraft present that day.
SFC Celiz is an American hero, and his actions saved many lives. The DUSTOFF crew from had a unique perspective, and by hearing from them we can both gain first-hand insight into SFC Celiz's bravery, and honor his memory.