Midwife and Paramedic Jessica Arno, the Combat Midwife, returns this week to talk focus on pediatric emergencies in the disaster environment. She and the Disaster Podcast team talk about unique challenges facing responders who encounter sick and injured kids.

Jessica stresses the importance of understanding age-appropriate behaviors and presentation. We discuss why it’s necessary to trust the parents’ instincts about their kids. They often realize a problem is present before others would notice a change in the child.

Also on the show this week are disaster emergency management expert, Becky DePodwin, disaster meteorologist, Dan DePodwin, and Dr. Joe Holley, as well as co-hosts Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

Scroll down for Podcast Discussion Summary

Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well.

Podcast Discussion Summary

Jamie introduced the main guest, Jessica Arno, the combat midwife, who was returning for a second episode to discuss more pediatric topics. The group discussed recent weather conditions, including flooding in the Northeast and Midwest, and Joe shared his busy schedule involving alerts for weather events.

The conversation then shifted to the upcoming podcast segment featuring Jessica, who was introduced to the audience as a midwife, paramedic, and expert in pediatric care.

The meeting focused on the unique challenges of providing medical care to children in emergency and disaster situations, emphasizing that children are not simply “tiny adults.” Jessica, a paramedic and midwife, explained the importance of understanding children’s physiological differences, such as their limited blood volume and distinct airway anatomy, which can lead to rapid decompensation.

Jamie highlighted the need for quick decision-making in pediatric emergencies, especially in austere environments where resources may be limited. The discussion also touched on the broader issue of women’s health research, noting that it often falls short due to gaps in scientific focus.

The group discussed fear and anxiety in medical and emergency situations, with Jessica emphasizing the importance of addressing personal fears and biases to provide better care. Jamie shared advice about trusting parents’ instincts regarding their children’s health, particularly for those with preexisting conditions. The conversation concluded with Jessica encouraging self-compassion and acceptance of imperfection in emergency response work.

The group discussed the importance of trusting parents’ instincts and expertise, particularly in medical situations involving their children. Jessica emphasized the need to trust parents’ observations and to act on instincts, even if the reasons aren’t immediately clear. Becky shared her experience of trusting her intuition about her child’s health, highlighting the value of parental insight. The discussion underscored the importance of balancing emotional and professional judgment in medical care, with a consensus that erring on the side of safety is crucial.

The group discussed pediatric medical care, particularly in disaster situations, emphasizing the need for age-appropriate assessment and treatment. Jessica highlighted the importance of vital signs, bleeding control, and understanding the unique challenges of treating children, including the use of appropriate tourniquets and recognizing internal bleeding.

Dan shared his perspective as a parent, emphasizing the value of trusted care in complex situations. The discussion also touched on the potential lack of parental presence in disaster scenarios and the need for practitioners to be prepared to triage and treat children without parental input.

The group discussed emotional preparedness, particularly focusing on how to handle children in chaotic situations. Jessica emphasized the importance of honesty with children, sharing an example of a Coast Guard rescue during recent flooding in Texas where the responder maintained calm by being transparent about the situation’s uncertainties. The discussion highlighted the value of relying on training in crisis situations, even when facing unfamiliar challenges.

The discussion focused on the emotional and psychological challenges faced by children in disaster situations, particularly how their brains process trauma and the role of emotional regulation in parenting. Becky and Sam discussed how children’s reactions to stress are influenced by their parents’ emotional responses, noting that calm parental reactions can help children regulate their own emotions.

They also touched on the importance of emotional intelligence in caregivers and how children learn from their parents’ reactions to situations, particularly in medical contexts.

Jessica shared her experience of being calm in chaotic situations, which was noted as a strength by her colleagues. She discussed the importance of having pediatric medications in austere kits, including basic items like Tylenol and ibuprofen, as well as herbal and homeopathic remedies. She also described a real-life situation where she provided neonatal care in a disaster zone, emphasizing the need for evaluating underlying issues in such complex medical situations.

The meeting focused on a discussion about pediatric and clinical healthcare, featuring Combat as the main expert. Combat shared insights on differential diagnosis and women’s/children’s health, emphasizing the importance of hands-on practice and continuous learning. The participants agreed that while they may not be experts in pediatrics, they should strive to learn and build confidence in handling pediatric cases. Joe mentioned upcoming military training activities, and the group discussed how listeners can connect with various speakers through social media platforms and the disaster Podcast community.

The group discussed the importance of disaster preparedness and the role of specialized training, with Jamie highlighting the sponsorship of the Disaster Podcast by Paragon Medical Education Group.

Jessica, the Combat Midwife, shared her expertise and offered a discount code for her training materials. Use code DISASTER for a discount on her page. The participants agreed to have Jessica return for a follow-up episode the next Thursday.

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