Ep 18 – Stroke Me, Stroke Me – Stroke

Strokes don’t wait—and neither can EMTs. In this episode, Mike, Max, and Jonathan dive into one of the most time-critical emergencies in EMS: strokes, seizures, and syncope. Building off last week’s discussion on altered mental status and diabetes, the crew breaks down how to recognize stroke symptoms in the field, why time is brain, and what EMTs can (and can’t) do before reaching definitive care. From the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale to BE FAST, this episode connects classroom learning to real-world calls and reinforces why early recognition saves lives.

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

VIST OUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE SPONSOR!!!

StatPacks

https://www.statpacks.com

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

Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Intro, episode title, and EMS life updates

13:25 – Overview of strokes, seizures, syncope, and brain-related emergencies

15:55 – Medical Term of the Week: Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS)

22:25 – Public stroke recognition: BE FAST and calling 911

26:55 – Stroke fundamentals: ischemic vs hemorrhagic strokes

30:20 – Blood thinners, falls, and increased stroke risk

32:40 – EMS realities: what you can and can’t do for stroke patients

34:10 – Stroke alerts, hospital pre-notification, and why time is brain

36:00 – Tools of the Trade: First In Bag (StatPacks)

38:30 – Student Tip of the Week: Always determine last known normal

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

⚠️ 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