EMS: Erik & Matt Show

EXPLORE

Society & Culture

Health & Fitness

© 2024 PodJoint

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts221/v4/11/24/7a/11247a1a-54f2-98c7-893a-886b6f523383/mza_17053407140450787621.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Axene Continuing Education

64 episodes

3 weeks ago

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 youn...

Show more...

Health & Fitness

All content for EMS: Erik & Matt Show is the property of Axene Continuing Education and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

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 youn...

Show more...

Health & Fitness

Episodes (20/64)

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Pediatric Patients in EMS

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 youn...

3 weeks ago

51 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Spinal Motion Restriction: Rethinking C-Collars in EMS

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 f...

1 month ago

52 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Obesity in EMS Patients

In this episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS), we dive into the unique challenges of caring for obese patients, a growing population, particularly in the U.S. We explore the complexities of treatment, proper medication dosing, and ensuring provider safety when responding to these calls. Join us as we share insights and strategies for first responders to effectively manage and support patients struggling with obesity, while keeping safety first.

1 month ago

49 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Caring for Special Needs Patients in EMS

In this insightful episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS), hosts Erik and Matt explore the complexities of providing exceptional care for patients with special needs. From overcoming barriers like hearing or vision impairments to addressing physical challenges, such as working with patients in wheelchairs, or supporting those with autism, this episode dives into practical strategies for healthcare providers. Join us as we discuss how to navigate these challenges with empathy, ensuring every ...

2 months ago

1 hour

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Load and Go or Stay and Play?

In this episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS) we discuss the age old issue of when we should stay and play or load and go. The days of "give them a dose of diesel" are fading. We need to be doing what's best for our patients. This is a complicated decision with several factors that play into it. To be a good practitioner you have to be able to make the best clinical decision for your patients. Sometimes the best thing you can do is get the patient to the hospital as quickly as possible and ...

2 months ago

29 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

A Health and Wellness Framework for First Responders

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...

3 months ago

56 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Submersion Injuries in EMS

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 healthca...

3 months ago

28 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Recognizing and Treating Hyperthermia

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 eld...

3 months ago

28 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Trust-Centered Leadership in EMS: Chief Reardon on Trauma, Culture, and Leading Through Crisis

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....

4 months ago

1 hour 4 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Airway Management in EMS: Indications, Technique, and Real-World Lessons

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...

4 months ago

55 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Sepsis in EMS: Early Identification, Treatment, and the Role of Prehospital Providers

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 urba...

5 months ago

51 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

What EMS in the Fire Service Really Looks Like

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 pul...

5 months ago

29 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Why STEMI Isn’t Enough Anymore: The EMS OMI Criteria Update

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 mu...

6 months ago

30 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

The EMS World Record Attempt for the Longest Ambulance Transport (Part 2)

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...

7 months ago

56 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

The EMS World Record Attempt for the Longest Ambulance Transport (Part 1)

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 the...

7 months ago

24 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Whole Blood in EMS: Life-Saving Science, Challenges & Implementation

Whole blood transfusions are gaining momentum in EMS, but how do they work in the field? In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball sit down with EMS medical directors Dr. Joshua Bobko, Dr. Mark Gamber, and Dr. Cynthia Simmons to break down the science, real-world applications, and the logistical challenges of whole blood programs. From trauma cases to medical emergencies, discover how prehospital transfusions are changing the game for paramedics and firefig...

8 months ago

1 hour 7 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Hemorrhage Control: Stopping the Bleed in EMS & Trauma

Massive hemorrhage is the leading cause of death in trauma, and EMS providers often have just seconds to intervene. In this episode, Erik and Matt discuss hemorrhage control techniques that save lives both in the field and in extreme environments. Whether you're a combat medic or an average citizen, it's important to know how to stop bleeding in a patient. Hemorrhage is the leading cause of death in trauma. Tune in as we discuss this simply but extremely important patient population.

8 months ago

28 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

EMS Providers Being Charged Criminally

Criminal charges against EMS providers are becoming more common, and the latest case out of Sioux City has the EMS world on edge. A paramedic is facing manslaughter charges after mistakenly administering a paralytic instead of a sedative—resulting in a tragic patient outcome. Are EMS providers now at legal risk for honest mistakes? What can we learn from this case? And how can EMS professionals protect themselves while providing lifesaving care?

9 months ago

17 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Paramedic to Nurse or Doctor? What to Expect in Nursing and Medical School

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show, we tackle one of the most common questions we get: Should paramedics go to nursing school or med school? Erik and Matt share their personal journeys through nursing and medical school, comparing them to their time in paramedic school. What’s different? What’s harder? What should you expect? Whether you’re looking to advance your EMS career or are simply curious about these career paths, this episode is packed with insights, advice, and a healthy dose...

9 months ago

29 minutes

EMS: Erik & Matt Show

Mass Casualty Incidents and Trauma Response

Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) have unfortunately become a more frequent reality. In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show, Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball reflect on the tragic New Orleans attack that left 15 dead and dozens injured. They dive into the principles of effective MCI response, emphasizing the importance of triage, hemorrhage control, and teamwork. Whether you're an EMT, paramedic, or simply looking to understand the challenges first responders face, this episode is packed with act...

10 months ago

28 minutes