The Heavy Lies the Helmet® Podcast is made by emergency and critical care professionals for clinicians working across the prehospital and hospital environments. Hosted by Mike Boone, Dan Rauh, and Dr. Amanda Humphries, the show takes an honest look at the clinical decisions, challenges, and experiences that come with caring for critically ill and injured patients. We work through complex cases, question assumptions, and explore the things that don't always fit neatly into a protocol or textbook.…
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The agitated patient is one of the most challenging encounters in emergency medicine. They may be yelling, fighting, refusing care, or creating an unsafe environment. But it's important to remember that agitation is not a diagnosis but a symptom. Behavior is a vital sign. In this episode, we challenge the assumption that every combative patient is intoxicated, psychiatric, or simply "difficult."…
FOAMed has revolutionized medical education, but has it also made it easier for bad information to spread? In this podcast episode, we explore the difference between evidence and opinion, what actually defines an expert, and why a large following doesn't necessarily mean someone is right. We'll discuss where expert opinion fits within evidence-based medicine, the role of medical direction and…
Seizures demand fast decisions, but the best answers aren't always simple. In this episode, we sit down with Skyee Edwards, a pharmacist, to break down seizure cessation and prophylaxis in real-world emergencies. We go beyond traditional benzodiazepine-first thinking and explore how current evidence guides escalation to agents like levetiracetam, valproate, and fosphenytoin. Then we step into the…
In this podcast episode, we dive into the clinical chaos of Infective Endocarditis. It's a disease that can quietly destroy valves before showing its hand. We discuss how it presents, why it matters in transport and critical care environments, and how it can spiral into life-threatening complications like Cardiogenic Shock. Along the way, we touch on early antibiotic considerations and talk…
Airway management gets dangerous. In this episode of the podcast, we explore prehospital bronchoscopy—a true bleeding-edge concept—and where it fits in managing airway obstruction before the hospital. We talk mucous plugs, massive hemoptysis, refractory hypoxia, how to address obstructions you can't fix with pressure or bronchodilators, and what to do when bronchoscopy is likely unavailable. This…
Mechanical ventilation doesn't have to feel like wizardry. In this podcast episode, we strip it back to what really matters—simple mental models, clean decision-making, and an approach that works whether you're in the back of a helicopter, a tight ambulance box, or a chaotic ED bay. We walk through the foundational concepts and the "why" behind each knob you touch. Then we zoom in on the Hamilton…
Mechanical ventilation doesn't have to feel like wizardry. In this podcast episode, we strip it back to what really matters—simple mental models, clean decision-making, and an approach that works whether you're in the back of a helicopter, a tight ambulance box, or a chaotic ED bay. We walk through the foundational concepts and the "why" behind each knob you touch. Then we zoom in on the Hamilton…
Tracheostomies are increasingly common in both prehospital and critical care transport settings, but they come with unique challenges. In this podcast episode, we break down short-term and long-term complications you may encounter, and how to troubleshoot them in high-stakes environments. From occlusions and dislodgements to bleeding, we'll cover practical strategies to keep these vulnerable…
What happens when resources are limited, transport is delayed, or you're forced to manage a critically ill patient far beyond the typical flight window? In this podcast episode, Dr. Tim Hurtado and Brett Weiner help us dive into the challenges and realities of prolonged field care in air medical transport. We'll explore clinical considerations, crew dynamics, and decision-making strategies that…
Tranexamic Acid (TXA) is a lot like hot sauce: People put it on everything — especially for apparent or suspected acute blood loss. In this podcast episode, we dive into a drug that's been both praised and questioned in trauma and prehospital care. We break down what TXA is, how it works, and the evidence behind its use. From CRASH-2 to CRASH-3, we explore the key studies, the controversies, and…
