By: Dave Kahat, BA, EMTER Tech & EMT Teaching AssistantBecoming EMT certified requires a lot of “by the book” training. EMT students memorize certain “normal” vital values. They memorize SAMPLE questions, the OPQRST acronym, and so on and so forth.This computerized, robotic way of looking at emergency scenarios can be both effective and cumbersome at…

By: Chad Larkin, BIS, EMTEMT InstructorPrevalence and CausesRoughly 1 in 5 adults has a mental illness, making it one of the most common health concerns in the United States. While the vast majority of people with a mental health concern are able to manage their illness well with community support, therapy, and medication, others may…

By Marven Ewen, MDMedical DirectorThe CDC recommends yearly immunization for influenza for all persons 6 months of age and older. Unfortunately, not everyone chooses to be immunized. As a result, people needlessly get ill, and in some cases, die. The fact that many people don’t get immunized makes it even more important that EMTs do.…

By: Joanne Ewen, JD, EMT, DOT-I, K9 HandlerThere are several kinds of search disciplines for K9s and their handlers, and this article discusses the two basic disciplines of all search dogs: trailing and area search. Northstar SAR has dogs and handlers trained in many SAR disciplines.Trailing dogs use a scented article from the missing person…

By: Marven Ewen, MD, Medical DirectorDeep Vein Thrombophlebitis, or DVT as it is usually referred to, is a common condition. Because of this, it is something that should be considered in any patient with an extremity complaint of pain or swelling, or in a patient with chest symptoms. The most common site is the deep…

By Joanne Ewen, JD, EMT, DOT-IK9 HandlerNorthstar Search and Rescue (www.northstarSAR.com) is one of the leading K9 search and rescue organizations in Minnesota. I just became a member of it with my German Shepherd pup Coda, now 5 months old and absolutely loving the fun “game” of finding people in the woods and through high…

By Marven Ewen, MDMedical DirectorIf you are an EMS provider, you will see opioid overdoses. Opioids are drugs that act on the central nervous system at the opioid receptor on the cell membrane of neurons. In addition to their analgesic effects, they can also cause sedation, euphoria, constipation, and if taken in excess, respiratory depression…

By: Marven Ewen, Medical DirectorTo understand the benefit of Nitro in the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) it is helpful to first understand why cardiovascular disease can cause pain. As you will recall, the heart is a muscular pump. Like all muscles, it requires oxygen. The heart gets its oxygen supply from blood flowing…

By Kory L. Sandoz, EMT-B, EMD, CFCWe have all heard of the “Golden Hour,” the critical hour in which to get a trauma patient to definitive care to ensure the best chance of survival. Many EMTs and EMRs do not have the luxury of having a Level 1 Trauma Center close by. One of the…