Breathing — Archives — General BroadCAST

Choking

This month we're taking a look at the management of the most time critical airway emergency... choking.

You might think there's not much to talk about here, but we wanted to share really practical tips for how paramedics, EMS workers and other emergency clinicians can deal with this time critical problem. From assessment of true choking, threatened or partial obstructions, to tips for supporting prehospital removal or management whilst undertaking transport to definitive care, this episode has you covered.

Breathing, Cardiac Arrest, Emergency CareJoshua BarkerMarch 1, 2026airway, choking, cardiac arrestComment

Nitrate Poisoning

This month we take a look at nitrate poisoning. It may not be the most common emergency case to present to prehospital clinicians, but cases of it do appear to be on the rise.
So join us as we talk about methaemoglobinemia, safety on scene, protecting rescuers and the assessment and care of these patients.

Impact Brain Apnoea

mpact brain apnoea is the cessation or disruption of the inate breathing mechanism following a blow to the head. Its possible for this to result in the death of patients without any visible damage to the brain or surrounding blood vessels.
This month we discuss this, the development of a hypoxic brain injury, the resultant catecholamine release or catacholamine "storm" and what ambulance crews and emergency clinicians can do to help treat these patients.

Breathing, NeuroJoshua BarkerMay 2, 2024Apnoea, Brain injury, TBIComment

Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary Embolism is a common emergency presentation to paramedics and emergency medicine clinicians.
We discuss why PEs cause right ventricular strain, the types of PE from massive, to submassive and subsegmental, how to work up and diagnose pulmonary embolism, how do D-Dimers work? and what are the high risk pulmonary embolism criteria.

Breathing, Cardiac Arrest, Emergency CareJoshua BarkerOctober 11, 2023PE, Pulmonary Embolism, Clots, Hypoxia, D-DimerComment

Diving Emergencies

All diving represents a hazard, as humans we're not designed to live under water. The deeper divers go and the longer they dive for, the greater the potential risks. Although the bends or decompression sickness, arterial gas embolisims and other diving related emergencies arent the most common presentation to emergency care clinicians. We thought it would be good to revise this medical presenation.
In partnership with our colleagues at HM Coastguard we've developed this CPD podcast. We talk to a Deepwater technical dive instructor from purpleturtle diving, and a dive doctor from DDRC healthcare.

With thanks to Toni from www.purpleturtlediving.com/
and Felix from www.ddrc.org/

Breathing, Critical Care, Emergency Care, Exposure, EnvironmentalJoshua BarkerOctober 11, 2023Diving, The Bends, Decompression Sickness, Oxygen, Divers, Water, Drowning, GasComment

Asthma

Asthma is the most common lung pathology in the UK. Managing exacerbations of the disease is something paramedics and emergency teams should be well versed in. In this months episode we review the pathophysiology, look at the different severities of exacerbation that may present to ambulance crews, discuss what types of patient are suitable for discharge as well as looking at the treatments we can offer from the mild asthma attack to the life threatening.

Breathing, Chronic Conditions, Emergency CareJoshua BarkerFebruary 17, 2023Astha, Asthma, Breathing, difficulty in breathing, wheeze, salbutamol, magnesiumComment

COPD Pt 2: Treatment and Managment Plan

This is the second episode in a two-part series on COPD.
In this episode, we look at the differential diagnosis to consider to a simple exacerbation, the ambulance management as well as recent changes to national paramedic guidelines, and the management options

COPD Pt 1: History and Assessment

COPD is a terminal condition believed to affect as much as 4% of the UK populace. These patients often present to ambulance crews with an exacerbation in symptoms.
In this episode, we look at the pathophysiology of COPD, causes and diagnosis as well as the assessment of acute shortness of breath in these patients.

Infections, Geriatrics, Education, Chronic Conditions, BreathingJoshua BarkerMarch 17, 2022COPD, Lung, Infection, BreathingComment