EMS 20/20 - podcast cover

EMS 20/20

Long Pause Media | FlightBridgeEDems-20-20.simplecast.com
EMS 20/20 is podcast hosted by two experienced Paramedics. Spencer Oliver and Christopher Pfingsten discuss real calls run by real responders and pull out the lessons you won't find in a text book. This podcast is aimed at Paramedic students, seasoned Paramedics looking to refresh, or any one interested in a deeper dive into pre-hospital health care.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Special Edition: Did They Slip or Knot?

On today's special edition, Chris is put in the hotseat by Spencer on an altered LOC patient with a significant language barrier. Can Chris translate this difficult call into a success? Vote now on Instagram!

Oct 29, 20251 hr 39 minEp. 216

Trouble In The PlayPlace

Special guest Patrick Pianezza, the writer of CODE 3 (streaming now on Apple and Amazon) joins the guys on a pediatric case with ever so helpful 'nurse' bystander. Do the guys sort things out and figure out what's what (and importantly, whose who)? Listen and find out!

Oct 23, 20251 hr 44 minEp. 215

Slay Thy Assumptions!

Spencer brings a call riddled with stumbles from both the patient and a seasoned Paramedic. Does this field training need some training of their own? Listen and find out!

Oct 15, 20251 hr 33 minEp. 214

Special Edition: Heated Reaction

Spencer finds himself in the hot seat on a hot day in a hot field with unresponsive patient. What could be the problem? Or problems? Does Chris make things harder? Of course he does. VOTE now!

Oct 08, 20251 hr 19 minEp. 213

Altered Addison's

A crew runs a call with an altered patient. Could it be a rare endocrine disorder? Hypotension? Hypoglycemia? Bad cyberware? Find out on this week's episode!

Oct 01, 20251 hr 37 minEp. 212

Special Edition: Unhappy Meal

Chris is in the hotseat as he does a call hungry, making each roll harder and each success a little more out of reach. Are his efforts a super sized success, or does his clinical skill belong on the dollar menu? Vote now!

Sep 24, 20251 hr 33 minEp. 211

Hot Pursuit, Hotter Patient with RAINN WILSON

RAINN WILSON joins Chris and Spencer (no, really) as they discuss a methamphetamine marathon runner who gets brought up to medium rare. Can an EMT push against the tide to get the right thing done? Can Chris expand his vocabulary? Check out CODE 3 starring RAINN WILSON in select theaters NOW!

Sep 17, 20251 hr 34 minEp. 210

Special Edition: Damnit Jerry!

Spencer is in the hot seat, but this time he has the help of Jerry the helpful RN at the local nursing facility / rehab / pit of despair! How does he do? Visit our Instagram to find out!

Sep 10, 20251 hr 27 minEp. 209

Ding Dong, The Patient's... Dead?

When a code 99 comes in for a frequent flyer, a crew finds themself in a classic case of "there's more than meets the eye". Do they follow the yellow brick road to get their questions answered? Click your rube red slippers three times and be transported away to a land of not quite death but maybe some destruction.

Sep 03, 20251 hr 21 minEp. 208

Special Edition: It Can't Be THAT Simple... Can It?

Chris is in the hotseat and immediately starts over thinking a call involving a possible stroke... or UTI... or hypoglycemia... or alcohol? Check out @ems2020show in Instagram and vote on his performance!

Aug 20, 20251 hr 42 minEp. 207

Paralyzing Yourself to Refuse

What does Carhart pants, Fireball Whiskey, weed, and an allergy to authority have in common? They're all in this episode! Follow the Paramedic of Darkness into the fray as we sort out and angry MVA patient that has more issues than they realize.

Aug 13, 20251 hr 35 minEp. 206

Special Edition: Oops! All Trauma!

Spencer is in the hotseat trying to fix all the problems with a severe trauma patient. Also, Chris cannot count. Vote on Instagram now!

Aug 06, 20251 hr 44 minEp. 205

Self Inflicted Surgery

Hands down, this is the weirdest episode. So many twists and turns. Chris rants about TXA again (start the emails), Spencer gets weird about barnyard animals, and a goat is suspect for attempted murder. Maybe.

Jul 30, 20251 hr 45 minEp. 204

Special Edition: Face the Pain

Chris is in the hot seat! Spencer pulls out a rare but immediately life threatening disorder that threatens to crush Chris under the weight of airway management. Does Chris prevail? VOTE NOW ON INSTAGRAM! @ems2020show

Jul 23, 20251 hr 30 minEp. 203

Bold Strategy Cotton

An interfacility call that seems like your basic, everyday call... until it isn't. A patient goes from walking and talking to huffing and puffing to gasping and... dying?

Jul 16, 20251 hr 47 minEp. 202

Special Edition: Little Altered Man

Spencer is given a 'kitchen sink' type call as Chris leaves him looking around every corner to see if he can walk down Holland road. Does Spencer eek out a 2, or is he leaving you waiting for more? Vote on IG!

Jul 02, 20251 hr 27 minEp. 201

Sus 4 CO

Hey wait... that's not Oxygen! Call an emergency meeting! Does the crew in this week's episode get to the bottom of the problem BEFORE it's too late? Listen and find out on this OD turned CO!

Jun 25, 20252 hr 3 minEp. 200

Special Edition: Recipe for Disaster

Spencer attempts to trip Chris up with a chaotic flight call! An IFT where a small hospital is struggling to keep up with a severe trauma patient's needs. Is Chris the missing ingredient that ties the whole dish together, or does he completely ruin the flavor profile? VOTE ON INSTAGRAM!

Jun 18, 20251 hr 33 minEp. 199

Bullet(s) With Butterfly Wings

A team of responders enter a scene made safe(ish) by PD to find a very unhappy gunshot victim. Are they able to calm his rage and treat appropriately? Listen and find out!

Jun 11, 20251 hr 39 minEp. 198

Special Edition: He's Choking Now

Time's up! Over! BLAU? Spencer is in the hot seat as an unconscious unresponsive patient is presented to him. Does he choke? Does he handle it with grace? Let us know and vote on our IG! @ems2020show

Jun 04, 20251 hr 24 minEp. 197

Prepare for Unforeseen Consequences

The guys analyze a crew that walks into self-imposed traps. Do they figure it out before it's too late, or do they find themselves at the bottom of a hidden pit? Listen and find out!

May 28, 20251 hr 22 minEp. 196

Special Edition: Gambling with Grumpy

Spencer rolls the dice for Chris as he presents him with one grumpy customer... can Chris get through the interpersonal obstacles or will he fall flat on his face? Vote on our Instagram!

May 14, 20251 hr 29 minEp. 195

Get Out of My Head!

Is it an overdose? Is it trauma? Is it... something else entirely unhinged? Yes. Listen and find out what the guys have to deal with in today's exciting and surprising episode!

May 07, 20251 hr 32 minEp. 194

No Right Answers!

Chris gives Spencer a maze with no end... or a maze with too many endings? Can Spencer pull his patient out of jeopardy and save the day? Or will he miss a vital intervention that leads to a dead end?

Apr 30, 20251 hr 52 minEp. 193

Rage Against The EKG

Is this EKG even for the right patient? A wild call with everything from pediatric to... significant OLMC considerations causes the guys to call in some backup... this time in the form of Dr. Michael Lauria! Can the team find some useful lessons with a little help? Listen and find out!

Apr 23, 20251 hr 33 minEp. 192

Special Edition: Crafting a Plan

Chris is given the mother of all scenarios where a pediatric patients takes... well, all the medications. PLUS! We introduce the coveted DICE ROLL to spice things up! Just because Chris asks for it doesn't mean he'll get it! Luck of the draw is at play in this week's episode. VOTE ON INSTAGRAM!

Apr 16, 20251 hr 35 minEp. 191

Disappearing Leadership

A discharge home for a patient is difficult for all the wrong reasons. Chris... defends the bad guy? Nuance is key as Chris and Spence discuss the wrong time and place in this week's episode.

Apr 09, 20252 hr 15 minEp. 190

Only Anaphylaxis... and Nothing More..?

Is this a case of a LETHAL distracting injury? Can there ever be such a thing? Is an amped up responder with a "just-go" mentality in the right? Listen and find out!

Mar 26, 20251 hr 42 minEp. 188

Special Edition: Respiratory Kombat

Chris is in the hotseat and his patient is in respiratory distress and making alllll the sounds. How does Chris hold up to this onslaught of respiratory trouble? Vote on our Instagram at @ems2020podcast!

Mar 19, 20251 hr 2 minEp. 187
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android