Welcome to the very first installment of The SBAR Sessions on The Space Nurse Podcast, where I sit down with fellow nursing experts to think through real-world clinical challenges and brainstorm how we can close the gap in aerospace medicine

In this episode of The Space Nurse Podcast, we are tackling one of the most complex clinical challenges in aerospace medicine: managing burn trauma. What happens when the standard terrestrial protocol of cooling a burn with running water is impossible because water simply floats?

Joining the show is Kristina Stiles, a former burns and plastic surgery nurse specialist with 23 years of critical care experience and the founding chair of the British Burn Association's Pre-hospital Special Interest Group. Kristina is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Birmingham, focusing on the "burn care gap"—the critical window of time between an injury occurring and the patient receiving professional medical attention.

Together, we dive into the stark realities of burn trauma and explore how we can translate Earth-based first aid into effective clinical protocols for the microgravity environment.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Burn Care Gap: We explore the critical window of time immediately following a burn, addressing the severe lack of public and professional knowledge regarding appropriate first aid.

• The Terrestrial Gold Standard: A breakdown of the "Remove, Cool, Cover, Call" protocol, emphasizing why cooling a burn with running water for at least 20 minutes is absolutely essential for patient outcomes.

• Hazards in Microgravity: How fire behaves differently in space—crawling on surfaces and forming spherical flames—and why traditional cooling is impossible when water forms floating globules instead of flowing.

• Off-Grid Solutions: We brainstorm potential alternatives for austere and space environments, from utilizing hydrogel dressings and cooling sleeves to applying synthetic skin substitutes.

• The Nursing Imperative: A look at why clinical boots-on-the-ground experience is vital, and why nurses need to be at the table when aerospace medical protocols and safety standards are being designed.

Whether you're a terrestrial first responder, an aerospace engineer, or a fellow space medicine enthusiast, this conversation highlights exactly why clinical expertise is essential for human survival in the final frontier.

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Engineers build the vessel, but medical teams ensure the crew survives the trip. In this episode of The Space Nurse Podcast, we bridge the gap between the bedside and the launchpad with Colin Hills, RN, a NASA HMS Operations Specialist supporting the International Space Station and the Artemis program.

From the high-pressure environments of Level 1 Trauma centers to the technical complexities of Mission Control, Colin explains how a background in austere medicine prepares nurses for the rigors of spaceflight. We dive deep into the concept of "Systems Thinking," the necessity of planning for your "second worst failure," and what it really means for a clinician to be the vital "Human in the Loop" within aerospace engineering. Whether you are looking to translate your clinical jargon into "NASA-speak" or want a behind-the-scenes look at 800-page medical checklists, this episode is your blueprint for the future of nursing in the final frontier.

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Colin said your first priority is to learn "your patient" you can do that with me by joining The Space Nurse® Academy, learn about the 5 hazards of space flight AND what microgravity does to EACH body system. What NASA knows and what they don't know (the gaps WE need to solve). PENDING approval for Florida Board of Nursing CEUs (valid in 48 states!)

Do you think the upcoming Artemis moon mission is a groundbreaking milestone? Or a rerun of past space endeavors, full of hype and political pivots? Christine Rincon, ICU nurse turned space medicine advocate, unpacks the myths and realities behind this modern-day space race — revealing why the headlines might be overselling what’s really happening on and off the lunar surface.

In this eye-opening hot take micro episode, Christine digs into the real science behind Artemis, from water ice on the lunar south pole to cutting-edge organ-on-a-chip tech testing how space radiation affects human DNA. She busts myths about the mission’s cost, scientific progress, and the true reason we're headed back to the moon — and why it all matters for humanity’s future. Spoiler: it's not just about rockets or political strategy — it’s about survival, diversity, and the innovations that could revolutionize healthcare on Earth.

You’ll discover:

• Why the Artemis mission targets the lunar south pole and the significance of water ice for future explorers
• The surprising truth about NASA’s budget and why space spending is more a matter of priorities than costs
• How space medical research, like astronaut CPR testing and organ-on-a-chip development, could radically improve healthcare here on Earth
• The political dance behind decades of spaceflight pivots, broken promises, and shifting goals that keep public interest teetering
• Why true innovation in space requires diverse minds and leadership that reflect humanity’s full spectrum — not just strategic dominance

This episode is perfect for space enthusiasts, healthcare professionals, engineers, and anyone frustrated by the hype and tired of the politics overshadowing science. If you've ever wondered why our moon missions seem caught in a loop — or how space tech can revolutionize medicine — this is essential listening.

Join Christine Rincon, an ICU nurse with over a decade of experience, as she bridges the worlds of medicine and engineering to reveal what’s really at stake in our pursuit of the stars. Whether you’re a clinician, a space fanatic, or just curious about humanity’s next giant leap, this conversation will challenge your perceptions and inspire action.

Why settle for reruns when we can write the future? Tune in and get inspired to see space exploration as a vital pathway to saving lives both on Earth and beyond.

Are you wondering how The Space Nurse can help you? Check us out at the Space Nurse Website!

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