Podcast 147: Ephraim Mattos on the Ground Truth in Burma
Dennis talks with Ephraim Mattos, Founder of Stronghold Rescue and Relief, about his work in Burma. He spent the last six months there, amidst security crises and medical emergencies. Burma’s ethnic minorities are resisting subjugation, and the mountainous borders provide relative safe areas. Still, things are pretty dire. On top of internal conflicts, there’s interference from the Russians and Chinese. On the medical front…
Podcast 146: Versed and Procedural Sedation with Kevin and Paul
This episode, is all about “Versed.” We’ve got Kevin and Paul here, chatting about patient positioning and the intricacies of using Versed, a benzodiazepine, for sedation. They touch on how different patients react to the drug, emphasizing the art of medicine over strict calculations, especially in challenging scenarios. The podcast delves into dosing strategies, dealing with hemodynamically unstable patients, and the complexities of maintaining sedation during procedures. Remember, every patient is unique, so adapt the approach accordingly.
The SOCS-P Tactical Timeout with Casper and Paul: Article, Checklist, and Episode 145 Show Notes
In our work within the domain of Special Operations medicine, situational awareness, precise coordination and effective decision-making are key factors for success. Whether it is in the high-stakes realm of aviation or the critical environment of the operating room, the implementation of time-outs has proven to be a valuable practice. These time-outs provide a structured approach for teams to pause, reassess, and align their actions, ensuring that everyone involved is fully informed and prepared for the tasks at hand. The Tactical Time-out Format brings this concept to the SOF-medical setting…
Podcast 144: Pain Pathway
Today, Winston and I dive into pain pathways. You know, those definitions of pain like visceral or psychogenic, they’ve never helped me treat pain practically. So, understanding the nervous system might just boost my pain management skills. The pain pathway consists of transduction, where energy turns into nerve impulses, ascending pathways, spinal cord travel, brain processing, and descending pathways. Remember, understanding the whole system aids better pain management.
Podcast 143: UW Hospitals with Regan Lyon
Welcome back to the PFC Podcast. Today, we’ve got Regan on the show discussing her thesis on unconventional medical networks. She’s an emergency medicine physician with extensive experience in special operations and unconventional warfare scenarios. Her thesis delves into the difficulties in the establishment and operation of medical networks in challenging environments. They explore historical examples like the Yugoslavian resistance, highlighting the importance of proximity to the frontline and adaptability. Regan emphasizes the need for cognitive agility and understanding local resources when providing medical aid. Cooperation with allies and partners is vital for interoperability and empowering them to effectively respond to conflicts.
Podcast 142: Carfentanil
Dennis is joined by Aaron, an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist. In this episode they discuss carfentanil, a synthetic opioid used in the 2002 Moscow hostage rescue. Carfentanil can cause CNS depression, pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, and decreased gut motility. Reversing its effects may require higher doses of naloxone. However, its potency and unknown modifications make it challenging to combat. We’re still waiting for better treatments and auto-injectors. In the field, it’s crucial to differentiate opioid overdoses from other injuries, considering opioids’ widespread use and potential for weaponization.
Podcast 140: Borderland with JR Pickett
Welcome back to the PFC Podcast with Dennis and guest JR, discussing their work on the southern US border. Dr. JR Pickett, the Chief Deputy Medical Director for Austin, Texas, describes the rugged, rural regions they cover, far from major cities. The area experiences scorching temperatures, and many migrants pass through, making it crucial to provide medical assistance. They encounter accidents, venomous snakes, and challenging terrain.
Podcast 26: Beyond Basic Wound Care-The ICRC Way
This Clinical Practice Guideline was written by a fellow 18D with input from around the surgical community. It reconciles the differences between wound care done in a role 2 or 3 facility, such as serial debridement, with what is taught in the 18D Special…
Podcast 139: Return to Duty
In this podcast Dennis is joined by David and Tim discussing the topic of the non-profit organization, Return to Duty, and the important work these guys are doing for our service members. David shares his background, mentioning his experience as a combat medic and his transition into the field of endoscopic spine treatment. He talks about his own spine injury and how it led him to realize the need for better options for military members. They formed a network of trusted surgeons and started informally helping others.
Podcast 138: The Green Whistle
In low doses, it acts as an analgesic, while higher doses have an anesthetic effect. The Green Whistle, containing methoxofluorine, is a mouthpiece with an activated carbon chamber to reduce contamination. It provides pain relief for severe pain lasting 30 to 60 minutes. Patient control and comfort are important during its use. Could this be an alternative to the fentanyl lollipop?