OB emergencies are some of the most challenging calls EMS providers face, and some of the most dangerous complications can be easy to miss. In this episode of 7 Things EMS, Dan Limmer welcomes EMS educator and obstetrics expert Rachel Tank for a fast-paced discussion on the high-risk OB emergencies every provider should recognize.

Rachel breaks down the critical physiological changes of pregnancy, why shock and sepsis often present differently in pregnant patients, and how to identify life-threatening conditions such as placental abruption, placenta previa, shoulder dystocia, and postpartum hemorrhage. Along the way, she shares practical assessment tips, common pitfalls, and field-tested strategies that can help EMS clinicians recognize trouble early and improve outcomes for both mother and baby.

Whether you're an EMT, AEMT, paramedic, nurse, or educator, this episode delivers essential insights that will strengthen your confidence when responding to high-risk obstetric emergencies.

Listen now to learn:

• How pregnancy physiology can mask serious illness and shock
• Why maternal sepsis is often overlooked
• The key differences between placenta previa and placental abruption
• What every provider should know about shoulder dystocia
• Assessment clues that can save two lives instead of one

High-risk OB calls are rare, but when they happen, preparation matters. This episode helps ensure you're ready.

In this episode of 7 Things EMS, Dan Limmer and Chris Kroboth break down the hidden problems with vital signs in EMS. They cover blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximetry, perfusion, shock, and why “normal” monitor readings can be dangerously wrong if providers do not understand the basics behind the numbers.

This episode is packed with practical takeaways, field-tested advice, and sharp discussion on how better assessment leads to better patient care.

Get CE for listening! 1 hour CAPCE-approved F3 CE. Purchase here.

In this episode, Dan Limmer and Chris Kroboth break down the hidden pitfalls of pulse oximetry, blood pressure acquisition, and patient assessment. They tackle common myths, explain why “good enough” vital signs are often wrong, and show how mastering the basics can change patient outcomes.

If you care about clinical judgment, accurate assessment, and becoming better at the fundamentals that matter most, this podcast is for you.

Get CE for listening! 1 hour CAPCE-approved F3 CE. Purchase here.

OB care is changing fast, and EMS is being pushed to the front lines.

Across the U.S., hospital obstetric units are closing, leaving growing “OB deserts” in their wake. That means more 911 calls for labor, delivery, and high-risk pregnancy emergencies. And the data backs it up. Thousands of babies are delivered outside the hospital each year, with life-threatening hemorrhage leading the list of complications.

At the same time, the new 2025 guidelines are raising the bar. They sharpen how we manage postpartum hemorrhage and stress the need for rapid treatment of severe hypertension in pregnancy.

This episode connects the dots.

• What OB deserts mean on the ground
• What EMS data is really telling us.
• What’s changed in the guidelines
• And why better OB training for EMS is no longer optional.

If you’re in EMS, this isn’t edge-case medicine anymore. It’s the job.

Get CE for listening! 1 hour CAPCE-approved F3 CE. Purchase here

Capnography isn't just about the numbers or the shark fin—it’s a dynamic tool for understanding ventilation, perfusion, and metabolism in real time. In this episode of 7 Things EMS, we talk with Chris Kroboth FP-C and cover how capnography works, the importance of waveform interpretation, and what different circuit types mean for patient care. From managing ventilation to assessing perfusion and metabolic status, this episode shows why capnography should be a go-to in every EMS call.

Get CE for listening! 1 hour CAPCE-approved F3 CE. Purchase here: https://lc-ready.com/store/details/120-7_things_canography

Sepsis isn’t just a hospital problem—it’s a prehospital emergency, and EMS providers are the front line. In this episode of 7 Things EMS, host Dan Limmer is joined by fire captain, educator, and Sepsis Alliance advisory board member Rom Duckworth to break down what you really need to know to identify, treat, and advocate for septic patients before they crash.

From a no-fluff explanation of the immune response to practical tips using the CHART mnemonic, Rom takes a complex topic and makes it actionable. You'll learn why sepsis isn’t always obvious, how EMS assessments can reduce mortality, what red flags to watch for, and the right time to call that sepsis alert—even when it feels like no one’s listening.

Get CE for listening! 1 hour CAPCE-approved F3 CE. Purchase here: https://lc-ready.com/store/details/118-7_things_sepsis

Dr. Peter Antevy is a physician, entrepreneur, and originator of the Handtevy® product for pediatric patients. He is a respected voice in EMS, and in this episode, he shares 7 things that he believes are practice-changing for EMS providers. From pediatric bradycardia and cardiac arrest to seizures, whole blood administration, and more, Dr. Antevy will challenge your thinking and improve your practice.

Get CE for listening! 1 hour CAPCE-approved F3 CE. Purchase here: https://www.lc-ready.com/store/details/117-7_things_dr_peter_antevy_believes_will_change_your_practice

Service animals provide essential support, from mobility and sensory assistance to detecting diabetes and seizures. However, many EMS providers lack awareness of the laws and responsibilities surrounding these animals and their handlers.

In this episode, paramedic educator Rob Ravndal shares his experience, including how his service dog, Cairns, gave him new insight into service animal care. Listeners will learn how to respect patients and their service animals while delivering the best care and adhering to legal requirements.

An essential listen for EMS providers striving to improve patient outcomes and understanding.

Get CE for listening! 1 hour CAPCE-approved F3 CE. Purchase here: https://www.lc-ready.com/store/details/114-7_things_service_animals

Strokes are serious. Strokes are time-sensitive as far as getting a patient to appropriate care. This episode is all about strokes. From how to perform an accurate and detailed stroke assessment to pathophysiology to hospital-based treatments, this 7 Things EMS gives you what you need to know. With a special emphasis on large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes, you won’t want to miss this episode with Dr. Ed Dickinson, Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Get CE for listening! 1 hour CAPCE-approved F3 CE. Purchase here: https://www.lc-ready.com/store/details/110-7_things_stroke

Stress is real. PTSD is real. The need to take care of yourself is more

important now than ever. Emily Reilly is the Mental Health Coordinator for

New Orleans EMS. (Yes, home of the Nightwatch television show.) She

draws from her extensive experience with first responders and veterans

to help you prevent and deal with stress and burnout. From the streets of

New Orleans to the Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida, Emily gives you

solid insights into wellness and a peek behind the door of the therapist's

office.

Get CE for listening! 1 hour CAPCE-approved F3 CE. Purchase here: https://lc-ready.com/store/details/109-7_things_your_therapist_wants_you_to_know