EMS 20/20

Christopher M Pfingsten, Spencer Oliver

About

EMS 20/20 is podcast hosted by two experienced Paramedics. Spencer Oliver and Christopher Pfingsten discuss real calls run by real responders and pull out the lessons you won't find in a text book. This podcast is aimed at Paramedic students, seasoned Paramedics looking to refresh, or any one interested in a deeper dive into pre-hospital health care.

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144 episodes

It's Just My Arm... Promise.

When is it ever really as easy at it seems? Take a helluva dive with the guys as they figure out what was missed as a vaping patient complains about their arm.

1h 32m
Mar 27
Quick! To The Bat Scanner!

Well now here's a fun one: what happens when a fall patient who just needs a hand up suddenly becomes an altered patient? Find out in this week's totally copyright infringement free episode!

1h 44m
Mar 13
Put The Bunny Back

Does this weeks crew get conned into using air for their cardiac patient? Spencer and Chris talk nitro, 90's movies, and Nicholas Cage in this weeks clip filled episode!

1h 37m
Feb 28
Systemic Failure

Each and everyone of Chris' triggers are pulled in this harrowing tale of herding cats. A severely injured/ejected patient is treated by a severely injured system... and the result is... not great.

2h 12m
Feb 14
It's All About the Delivery

Everyone's favorite call type is front and center as an expecting mother does what expecting mothers do. Listen as Chris makes terrible guesses at this episodes theme... but also be sure to listen to our SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

1h 36m
Jan 31
Vaguely Non-Emergent?

Does a crew let the dispatch information lead them astray? Are they able to see through the smoke screen of a convoluted history? Listen and find out if being sick for two days means you won't see a third!

1h 49m
Jan 17
Pulling a Code Out of a H.A.T.

Sometimes illusions of trauma can get the better of us. Spencer and Chris see if the crew in today's episode is fooled by sleight of... car, or if they manage to see past the tricks and get to the bottom of the magic hat.

1h 52m
Jan 03
That's Kenough Ketamine!

It's just a code one leg pain... how hard could it be? Spencer and Chris find out in today's episode as the guys examine easy errors with difficult consequences!

1h 36m
Dec 21, 2023
Salmon Stabs Spaghetti

Chris and Spence review a call that goes clinically... fine. But what happens when the patient suddenly doesn't like the direction the call is going? And what happens when a doctor is.... WRONG?!

1h 43m
Dec 06, 2023
Choosy Medics Choose STEMI

The guys review a nutty situation where a responder is sandwiched between a DNR and a very serious diagnosis... and also their partner...

1h 48m
Nov 22, 2023
A *Very* Sticky Case

Spencer and Chris bring in the big guns from the Standard of Care podcast, Samantha Johnson and Nick Adams! This episode is probably one of the most disturbing cases of neglect we've reviewed in a while, so you've been warned!

1h 40m
Nov 08, 2023
Railroading Rod

Ashlyn O'Dell joins Chris and Spence as the trio try and be very useful engines on a trauma call! With an object stuck... somewhere and a rather un-useful little engine on scene, the team has their work cut out for them.

2h 55m
Oct 25, 2023
You're Tearing Up My Heart

It might sounds crazy, but it ain't no lie... Spencer and Chris try to navigate what to do when a big mistake is made on a severe trauma patient... and it's not a mistake that is hard to make, either.

2h 16m
Oct 11, 2023
Avoiding SeDEADtion

The guys try to figure out exactly where the line between sedation and death is, and as a bonus, Spencer teaches you how to smoke meth.

1h 31m
Sep 27, 2023
12.875 Kilometer

Crossing into Canadian terrain, Spencer and Chris delve into a call where a patient does their best attempt at refusing treatment for their... gunshot wound?

1h 42m
Sep 13, 2023
MI Bleed?

Chris and Spencer see if they can solve why a man with the most rancid of toots can't stay upright. And also... Chris totally screws up! Also be sure to check out this week's sponsor, In Case at getincase.com/EMS2020!

1h 43m
Aug 30, 2023
Who has the Baby!?

Spencer throws Chris for a loop by making him critique... himself(ves)? In today's VERY strange episode, two BLS responders care for a sick baby, make a last minute switch on who is doing what, while the patient's mother seems to lose faith. Check out this week's sponsor, In Case at getincase.com/EMS2020 !

2h 2m
Aug 16, 2023
You Can't Make Me!

Sometimes patients don't just say no, but sometimes they say f&^$ no! What happens when two responders are confronted by a verbally hostile patient? Does fighting fire with fire work? Spoiler: no, it does not. Check out this episode's sponsor at getincase.com/EMS2020, and use PROMO CODE EMS2020 for $5 off!

1h 35m
Aug 02, 2023
Methany and the Frog

In this week's episode, Spencer tells Chris a tale about meth, altered levels of consciousness, and maybe even child protective services. Also, frogs.

1h 44m
Jul 19, 2023
Hive-way to the Danger Zone

Can the guys see where (or if) a handful of secret agents went wrong? Did they go wrong? Try to keep up with the twists and turns of this weeks episodes as everything from airway management to scene management is discussed.

1h 31m
Jul 05, 2023
Making a List... For Low SaO2

In a Lucky Charms fueled rage, Chris shares his thoughts on what it takes to be a Paramedic before the guys try and figure why a patient is so short of breath. Is it bronchoconstriction? Pulmonary Edema? Heart problems? Listen and find out!

1h 55m
Jun 21, 2023
Snapping Necks and Calling Helis

So we might not be COPS, but this episode is still bound to make you sweat as an accident in treacherous terrain interrupts the Catalina Wine Mixer. From hiking to helicopters, Chris puts Spence through the paces in this week's episode!

1h 34m
Jun 07, 2023
The Legend of Vent Machina

Spencer and Chris roll the dice on today's episode as we follow brave adventurers into the unknown as they set out with a vented patient to a nearby kingdom. What could possibly go wrong? Lots. Lots can go wrong.

2h 4m
May 24, 2023
LetterSTEMI Problems

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1h 34m
May 10, 2023
Breaking Blood Vessels

In this BLS focused episode, what you get is quintessential EMS 20/20. Multiple treatment options, CVA symptoms with hypotension, complicated crew dynamics, agency culture issues, and Chris ranting about kits.

1h 36m
Apr 26, 2023
Seizure Victim Unit

Is this episode's patient faking a seizure? Does it even matter? Or at least, does it matter more than the anger of a salty medic who terrorizes their trainee? Does THAT matter more than the ensuing medication error?

1h 31m
Apr 12, 2023
A-Hip-A

After Chris defends his position on TXA, Spencer UTTERLY STUMPS him in this week's episode where a patient is KILLED by HIP PAIN! Spoiler: Patient not actually killed by hip pain.

1h 41m
Mar 29, 2023
Bad to the (T)Bone

Spencer gives Chris some supervisor flashbacks as the guys analyze a call that may send the patient... and maybe even the crew... to their final destination. Listen and find out who lives, who dies, and who escapes death for at least two sequels.

1h 30m
Mar 15, 2023
You Give Love... A Bad Name

Spencer let's his playlist decide the title, but can the crew in today's episode decide where all the blood is coming from? Listen and find out! Listen at GuardianCME.com to get free CE!

1h 50m
Mar 01, 2023
Concert Concern

Today we fly our F-18's while launching our AAM's at some MDMA during and EDM concert! Or maybe it's SSRI's, or SS, or MAO-I's, or TCA's... or maybe we just need to RTB...

1h 35m
Feb 15, 2023