This talk provides an approach to life-threatening upper GI bleeding, including management of the grossly contaminated airway, the impact of hypothermia on bleeding, and balloon tamponade insertion. Knowing which balloon tamponade device you stock (is it a Minnesota or a Blakemore?), and where to find it, are just as important as knowing how to insert it. Refining your approach to variceal bleeding can help you optimize your resuscitation of these challenging cases. For more head to: codachange.org/podcasts.