A patient who experiences sudden vision loss may be suffering from a number of pathologies. How can the first responder in the field assess and diagnose potentially dangerous conditions that cause these types of symptoms? In this episode of Back to Basics, Chris and Jason discuss some of the most acute and potentially life threatening reasons for acute vision loss as well as how to recognize and potentially diagnose in the field. Join them as they take a look at acute vision loss! If you want to see more content make sure to visit www.guardiantestprep.com! 

EMS Medical Direction is a critical component of every EMS system. The NAEMT, ACEP, and NAAEMSP all help define what high quality EMS Medical Direction should look like. But how are we doing in implementing their guidelines? In this Episode of Back to Basics we discuss the role of the EMS Medical Director, what high quality medical direction should look like, and where we can continue to improve the quality and involvement of this important role in EMS. 

Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis together make up COPD. These are obstructive lung diseases like asthma, but what differentiates Emphysema from Chronic Bronchitis? Do your patients always have both? Find out in this episode of Back to Basics! We also have a big announcement! Soon we will be launching Guardian CME!! Guardian CME is a 100% FREE CAPCE platform so that you can get all your CAPCE credits by engaging our content as well as content from other great educators. And you heard that right....it's FREE! Head over to www.guardiancme.com and drop your email so we can let you know when we launch. 

Happy International Talk Like a Pirate day! In this episode, Chris and Jason honor the holiday by covering a topic not often addressed in primary emergency education...Pirate Emergencies. Would you be able to take care of a pirate in the field? Everything from scurvy to gangrene, listen in to make sure you are prepared in case you ever come across these conditions on your future voyages! And don't miss out on our upcoming launch of Guardian CME - a 100% FREE CAPCE platform where you can listen to your favorite podcasts and content from other great educators all for free. Sign up at www.guardiancme.com

You probably see asthma everyday on the job. A common disorder, asthma is something that healthcare professionals typically feel comfortable treating and feel that they have a good understanding of. In this episode, however, Chris and Jason argue that maybe we don't know as much about asthma as we should BECAUSE we see it all of the time. Here, they take a deep dive into the pathophysiology of the condition and explain why its so important to go back to basics even on topics we feel familiar with! Want to earn CME for listening to the podcast? Go to www.guardiancme.com and sign up to hear about our upcoming 100% free CAPCE platform launching in the next few months! 

We touched base on what can happen at depth under the water in our Dive Emergencies episode, but what happens if we head in the opposite direction? High altitude illness is divided into three presentations: Acute Mountain Sickness (the most common), high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and High altitude cerebral edema (HACE). All are caused by a lower oxygen environment. How do we differentiate them and what do we do about it? All this and much more in this episode! Come get high with us! www.guardiantestprep.com

Rhabdomyolysis, the destruction of muscle tissue, leading to risk of systemic complications, can be caused from a number of traumatic and non-traumatic mechanisms. Rhabdomyolysis is a confusing pathology to understand, and involves a fairly deep knowledge level of how the muscle cell works. In this episode of Back to Basics, the Seitz brothers simplify the understanding of how muscle cells work and how to both suspect and treat rhabdomyolysis in the acute emergency setting! 

Would you know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of organophosphate poisoning? Do you know the treatments and how they work? Is it common? Chris and Jason answer these questions and more on Episode 21 of the Back to Basics podcast! Whether you're a student, educator or advanced provider, we've got something just for you. Enjoying the podcast? Check out our other content at www.guardiantestprep.com

Compartment syndrome is a limb, and potentially life-threatening condition. But would you be able to recognize it in the field? And how do you treat the condition emergently? In Episode 20 of Back to Basics, Chris and Jason answer these questions and more! Studying for the NREMT? Check out our full program at www.guardiantestprep.com

We've all heard that if you have an erection lasting more than 4 hours you need to seek medical attention. But how come? A painful erection is called Priapism, and in this episode of Back to Basics, Chris and Jason discuss the pathophysiology behind the condition as well as what first responders and emergency personnel can do to diagnose and treat this emergent situation.