2022 Course Descriptions – Wednesday

Two words that strike fear into anyone: John. Wick. An expert with firearms, knives, belts, and even a pencil – when he comes for you, he is the last person you see. But how is he so efficient? What injuries does he inflict that are so fatal? The ability to manage patients with penetrating trauma is enhanced by understanding basic mechanisms of injury rendered by projectiles and hand-driven objects. This presentation will discuss anatomic disruptions, ballistics, and the traumatic mechanisms of the most fatal penetration injuries that we as EMS professionals encounter and how to manage them – all with the goal of optimizing patient outcome. Objectives: explain the physics and ballistics of penetrating trauma / distinguish between high, medium, and low-velocity penetration injuries / discuss EMS management of a shooting or stabbing victim / describe the pathophysiology behind various penetrating injuries to the body.

Some therapists place the occurrence of PTSD in field medics as even higher than combat veterans. While our military personnel are experiencing a change in paradigm encouraging treatment, EMS still has a stigma regarding mental health. We will follow a real case study of a Paramedic who ran the gauntlet of PTSD and the road he took to recovery. We have to change our thought process on PTSD and admit it’s okay to get help. Objectives: list causes of PTSD / explain how PTSD affects providers / state that PTSD is very real and very treatable.

In 2021, we spoke about EMS safety while protecting ourselves. Few agencies have a policy which protects personnel when acting in self-defense. In 2022, we hope to bring our colleagues policies which can be shared with all agencies in an effort to ensure everyone goes home with their mind, body and certification intact. Follow up data will include prosecutions and convictions of EMS assailants, implemented policies in Texas agencies, membership in organizations with legal counsel for EMS providers and suggestions for helping rural agencies with limited personnel and funding. Objectives: understand EMS legal policy – laws do not equal charges or convictions / understand department policy – use of force/continuum of force is written for TCOLE personnel, not EMS providers / introduce policies from agencies and share with audience / explore how to persuade your department to implement a protection policy / present opportunities for legal counsel in case the worst happens.

Describe the use of emergency services facility dogs in first responder agencies, including EMS, to build resiliency and support mental and emotional health. Our discussion includes several EMS relations managers and director handlers and their facility dogs. Objectives: understand benefits to EMS staff of a facility dog / understand the responsibilities of the EMS handler and agency acquiring the dog / understand the care and training of the dog / understand how the dog can integrate into and increase the benefits of current mental health and counseling practices, e.g., CISM sessions.

Joe brings almost 5 decades of emergency services experience to help us all have a brighter future in EMS as a career or a volunteer. Learn about the six “Rs” as together we continue to serve Texas and have some fun along the way! Objectives: