In this episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball discuss health and wellness. There's so much misinformation out there on what it means to be "healthy." But what does it really look like to be a healthy person. It's not about having 6 pack abs or the latest diet craze. Dr. Axene has spent an extensive amount of time researching and speaking on this topic. He has personally made changes in his life that have led him to be a healthier person. Listen in as we discuss 6 pillars of health and wellness and make it simple to implement into your life.

In the episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS) we discuss the complex and time-critical world of submersion injuries. From drowning and near-drowning incidents to cold water immersion and secondary complications, Erik and Matt explore what really happens when the body is submerged and how to manage these patients.

We'll discuss prehospital considerations, and hospital management strategies, all while breaking down the physiology behind these life-threatening events. Whether you're a healthcare provider, first responder, or just curious about the science of survival, this episode offers a deep look at one of the most urgent challenges in emergency medicine.

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene, MD and firefighter/paramedic Matt Ball tackle a seasonally critical topic: hyperthermia. With record-breaking heat across the U.S., they break down how to recognize early signs of heat illness, differentiate heat exhaustion from heat stroke, and manage these patients effectively in the prehospital setting.

They walk through thermoregulation, common risk factors (including construction workers, firefighters, athletes, and the elderly), and emphasize rapid cooling techniques like ice baths, evaporative cooling, and creative on-scene solutions. The episode also covers EMS scene priorities, cooling strategies, complications like rhabdomyolysis, and why prehydration and on-scene rehab are essential for providers.

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), we sit down with Fire Chief Robert Reardon of Duxbury, Massachusetts, for a powerful conversation on leadership through adversity.

Chief Reardon opens up about navigating some of the toughest calls of his career and the emotional impact those moments had—not just on the firefighters he leads, but on himself. He shares how he worked to ensure his team had the support they needed, and how he confronted the often-overlooked mental toll of the job.

We dive into the critical challenge of bridging the gap between administration and operations, and how trust becomes the cornerstone of effective leadership. Without it, even the best intentions can fall flat. This is a must-listen episode for anyone in public safety—and anyone who wants to understand the human side of command.

Chief Robert Reardon LinkIn Profile:
www.robreardon.com

Airway management isn’t just about getting the tube, it’s about knowing when, why, and how to do it right. In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and firefighter/paramedic Matt Ball get real about what it takes to succeed in the field, from first-pass success to recognizing when not to intubate.

They break down the big four: trauma, pediatric, geriatric, and obese patients, plus lessons from decades of experience and why humility may be your best airway skill.

Whether you're in the ER or the back of a rig, this episode is packed with practical pearls to improve your prehospital airway game.

Sepsis kills more patients than trauma or cardiac arrest, yet it’s often missed in the field. In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and firefighter/paramedic Matt Ball break down everything EMS providers need to know about recognizing and managing sepsis before the ambulance bay doors.

They cover real patient cases, why traditional screening tools fall short, and the evolving role of data, end-tidal CO₂, and even AI in improving outcomes. Whether you’re rural or urban, fire-based or private, this one’s packed with insights that could change your practice and save lives.

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and firefighter/paramedic Matt Ball talk candidly about EMS in the modern fire service. From the glamorized expectations in recruitment ads to the daily reality of medical calls, they dig into the cultural gap between perception and practice.

The episode explores how fire-based EMS providers can better embrace their role in patient care, the importance of staying clinically sharp, and why saving lives doesn’t always look like pulling someone from a burning building. It’s a real conversation about duty, ego, and what it means to do the job right.

STEMI is out. OMI is in. In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Axene and Matt Ball unpack the newest data on occlusive myocardial infarction (OMI) criteria—and why sticking to traditional STEMI patterns could cause you to miss up to 34% of heart attacks. They break down the April 2025 literature, discuss real-world EMS implications, and challenge every provider to rethink how they read 12-leads. Whether you're a medic, medical director, or firefighter-paramedic, this one's a must-listen.

We discussed this topic several months ago but an article just came out this month with some new information. Here is a link to the article.

The record has been set—but it almost didn't happen. In this follow-up episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball break down the chaos, comedy, and close calls from their 3,200-mile ambulance journey. From mechanical failures and border stops to alligator wrangling and Chick-fil-A-fueled escape rooms, the duo recounts how this wild idea became a certified Guinness World Record.

More than a stunt, the trip doubled as a mobile classroom—capturing real-world CE content tied to trauma, sepsis, medical errors, and documentation. This is EMS education, reimagined.

What does it take to set a Guinness World Record for the longest EMS ground transport? In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball reveal their ambitious plan to take the oldest licensed ambulance in the U.S. on a record-breaking journey across the country.

Along the way, they’ll film content for an upcoming EMS lecture bundle, visit fire stations, and prove that education doesn’t have to be boring. But will they actually break the record? Tune in to hear their strategy, the challenges ahead, and why this adventure is unlike anything EMS has seen before.