Get ready to laugh in this lighthearted episode of the Erik & Matt Show (EMS) as Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball open up and share some of their most embarrassing stories from their careers. From humorous mishaps to awkward moments, they prove that sometimes you just need to laugh at yourself. Join us for a fun and relatable episode that reminds us all of the human side of EMS work.

Discover more EMS resources, training programs, and expert insights on our website: https://axenece.com.

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Erik and Matt tackle one of the most common and potentially deadly emergencies in prehospital medicine: gastrointestinal bleeding. They break down the differences between upper and lower GI bleeds, what coffee ground emesis, bright red hematemesis, melena, and hematochezia each tell you about the source and severity of the bleed, and how to make critical treatment decisions in the back of the ambulance. They also cover why TXA is no longer indicated for GI bleeds, when blood transfusion is appropriate using the shock index, and how simple interventions like leg elevation can buy you time when you do not carry blood on your unit.

In this episode of the EMS Podcast. Dr. Erik Axene and Matt discuss Toxidromes. They will help you learn to recognize common toxidromes encountered in the prehospital setting. This podcast will help you understand patient presentations and apply practical management strategies.

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball tackle the call that scares EMS providers more than almost anything else: the crashing pediatric patient with a possible cardiac emergency.

Erik and Matt break down why most pediatric emergencies are actually respiratory or perfusion related, not cardiac, and how to tell the difference in the field. The conversation covers pediatric vital sign interpretation, why heart rate is the most important early warning sign in kids, the four types of shock, how congenital cardiac abnormalities present in newborns and older children, and the critical transport decisions that can make or break outcomes. They also share real field stories, including a call where bypassing the closest ER for a pediatric specialty center was the right move.

This episode is a practical guide to staying calm and managing pediatric cardiac emergencies whether you are a BLS or ALS provider. Erik and Matt cover the assessment framework, when to suspect cardiogenic shock, why parents are your best diagnostic resource, and the one thing every provider should do first on every crashing kid call.

In this special episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball are joined by Patrick Pianezza, co-writer and creator of the film Code 3.

Patrick shares the real-world EMS experiences that inspired the movie, from burnout and dark humor to low pay, private ambulance work, and the emotional toll of prehospital medicine. The conversation dives into EMS culture, patient experience, tension between prehospital and hospital staff, and why Code 3 resonates so strongly with paramedics, EMTs, and emergency clinicians.

This episode explores why EMS burnout is so common, how storytelling can validate first responder experiences, and why accurate representation of emergency medicine matters. It’s an honest discussion about the realities of working in EMS and why supporting first responders is more important than ever.

Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball continue their deep dive into high-risk obstetric emergencies that EMS providers rarely encounter but must be prepared to manage.

Part 2 focuses on antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum complications, including preeclampsia, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, placental emergencies, delivery complications, neonatal resuscitation, and postpartum hemorrhage. The discussion emphasizes practical, prehospital decision-making, early recognition, and preparation for rare but high-risk OB calls.

This is a two part podcast where Dr. Axene and Matt Ball discuss high risk OB emergencies. They will explore the challenges and stories of OB emergencies with real-life cases, expert tips, and practical advice for EMS and healthcare providers. Learn about trauma, sepsis, and more in this engaging, informative episode.

In this episode of the EMS Show, Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball discuss some of the most common errors made by EMS providers. Prehospital providers make split second critical decisions everyday. Mistakes happen in these high stress low acuity environments.

How can we make sure they we are providing the best care for our communities while also protecting ourselves? Erik and Matt will breakdown the common causes of these errors and how you can prevent them. as they reveal real-world errors in 911—covering medication mix-ups, documentation pitfalls, and communication failures—to help first responders deliver safer care.

In this episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS) Join Dr. Erik Axene and Firefighter/Paramedic Matt Ball as they dive into the essential skills and knowledge every EMS provider needs when caring for pediatric patients. In this episode, you’ll get practical tips, real-world scenarios, and expert insights to help you stay calm, confident, and effective in the field. Whether you’re a seasoned paramedic or new to EMS, tune in to learn how to improve outcomes and provide the best care for your youngest patients.

In this episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS), we dive into a groundbreaking article from August 2025 that questions the effectiveness of cervical collars. Analyzing data from nearly 4,000 studies, the article finds no evidence that cervical collars prevent secondary neurological deficits—a major shift for EMS practices. For years, applying a c-collar has been a fundamental protocol for trauma patients. Join Erik and Matt as they break down the findings and explore what this means for the future of EMS.

EMS providers at all levels should read this article and share it with leadership and medical directors to spark critical discussions.