Ep 16: 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, the electrical chaos behind shockable rhythms, and the subtle warning signs that women and atypical patients often show. Along the way, the guys dive into real-world ALS vs. BLS considerations, stories from the field, and why early 12-lead acquisition has become a lifesaving standard in modern EMS.

--------------------------------------

VIST OUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE SPONSOR!!!

xShear

https://xshear.com/

Save 10% with code: RIDEALONG

--------------------------------------

Episode Breakdown

00:37 – Opening banter, Monster song requests, and Billy Joel chaos

05:00 – Medical Term of the Week: Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

12:00 – STEMI vs. NSTEMI, angina, and “time is tissue”

20:00 – Electrical conduction system, EKG basics, and shockable rhythms

33:00 – Perfusion, shock, and how cardiac output actually fails

41:00 – BLS treatment: aspirin, nitro, oxygen, and positioning

48:30 – CPR, AED use, and early defibrillation

56:30 – Tools of the Trade: Trauma Shears (featuring XShear)

1:07:00 – Student Tip of the Week: Get a 12-lead within 5 minutes of arrival

--------------------------------------

⚠️ 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

www.ridealong.bulletn.net