The World’s Okayest Medic Podcast is a new podcast for all EMS providers. Whether you’re an EMT, paramedic, nurse; work in a 911 response setting or critical care transport; and are a novice or experienced clinician, this podcast is for you.
The World's Okayest Medic Podcast is a hidden gem in the world of podcasts. It is a needle in a haystack that deserves more recognition and ratings. Hosted by Mike, this podcast offers a refreshing and honest perspective on emergency medical services (EMS). The information presented in each episode is spot-on and backed by Mike's superior knowledge and experience. Whether discussing real-life scenarios or fictional ones, the podcast keeps listeners hooked, eagerly awaiting Mike's next words.
One of the best aspects of The World's Okayest Medic Podcast is how it provides an accurate portrayal of how EMS actually works. Mike breaks down complex concepts into simple explanations, making them easily understandable for all listeners. This podcast serves as a window into the world of EMS, offering valuable insights without sugarcoating or being politically correct. Additionally, Mike's practical approach to critical care concepts makes it an enjoyable and informative conversation for anyone interested in emergency medicine.
Another great aspect of this podcast is the extensive resources and connections that Mike provides behind his claims. He offers further reading recommendations for those who want to delve deeper into specific topics, validating his progressive style and attitude shaped by years of experience. The combination of practical knowledge and additional resources makes The World's Okayest Medic Podcast highly recommended for anyone seeking to expand their understanding of EMS.
On the downside, one could argue that the lack of widespread recognition and ratings for this podcast is its worst aspect. With its high-quality content and engaging delivery, it seems puzzling why more people have not discovered it yet. However, this may also be seen as an opportunity for listeners to share their own discoveries with others, increasing awareness about this exceptional podcast.
In conclusion, The World's Okayest Medic Podcast is a terrific podcast that provides enjoyable information about EMS. Hosted by Mike, who has considerable depth and breadth of experiences in EMS throughout his career, this podcast offers valuable insights into treatments, assessments, and hot topics in emergency medicine. Mike's straightforward approach and ability to make complex topics relevant and informative is commendable. Overall, The World's Okayest Medic Podcast is highly recommended for anyone interested in EMS or looking for an engaging and educational podcast experience.
Listener discretion is advised. References: Varney J, Motawea KR, Mostafa MR, AbdelQadir YH, Aboelenein M, Kandil OA, Ibrahim N, Hashim HT, Murry K, Jackson G, Shah J, Boury M, Awad AK, Patel P, Awad DM, Rozan SS, Talat NE. Efficacy of heads-up CPR compared to supine CPR positions: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Sci Rep. 2022 May 24;5 Norii T, Lukas G, Samantaray A, Yabuki M, Olasveengen TM, Bray JE; International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation ILCOR Basic Life Support Task Force. Effects of head-up CPR on survival and neurological outcomes: A systematic review. Resusc Plus. 2025 Jun 16 Kim DW, Choi JK, Won SH, Yun YJ, Jo YH, Park SM, Lee DK, Jang DH. A new variant position of head-up CPR may be associated with improvement in the measurements of cranial near-infrared spectroscopy suggestive of an increase in cerebral blood flow in non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: A prospective interventional pilot study. Resuscitation. Huang CC, Chen KC, Lin ZY, Chou YH, Chen WL, Lee TH, Lin KT, Hsieh PY, Chen CH, Chou CC, Lin YR. The effect of the head-up position on cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Care. 2021 Oct 30;25(1):376. Swaminathan, A., Mohan, M. (2023). Heads Up! Data Dredging Coming Through: Heads Up Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Does Not Improve Outcomes. February 2023 Annals of Emergency Medicine Journal Club
Listener discretion is advised. References: Decorticate and Decerebrate Posturing. (Dec 18, 2025). David Goldemund. “Stroke Manual.” Available: https://www.stroke-manual.com/decorticate-and-decerebrate-posturing/ Schmutzhard, E. (2019). Central breathing disturbances in stroke. J. Neuro Sciences, 405 suppl. Torres AC, Bebarta VS, April MD, Maddry JK, Herson PS, Sciorilli JV, Rossi YI, Dos Reis Schevz R, da Silva DBP, Lee J, Gallani F, Maegele M. Is ketamine safe for traumatic brain injury? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Crit Care. 2026 Feb;91:155347.
Listener discretion is advised. References: Bona & Friedman. (Apr 3, 2018). Ambulance Lights and Sirens Should Only Be Used When the Benefit Outweighs the Risks. Available: https://https://www.acepnow.com/article/ambulance-lights-and-sirens-should-only-be-used-when-the-benefit-outweighs-the-risks/ NTSB Preliminary Report: Available: https://verticalavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Report_ERA26FA035_201974_1_21_2026-12_05_27-AM.pdf PMID 30648537, 20845321, 11339726 Zavadasky, M. (June 2, 2025). Culture shift: Reducing lights and siren vehicle operation. Available: https://www.ems1.com/safe-transport-point-b/articles/culture-shift-reducing-lights-and-siren-vehicle-operation-XDonsygscixIghQT/
Sal Cortez has over forty years of experience as a paramedic and LEO. He has responded to two major active shooter incidents, worked as a flight medic, served on the California Governor's protection detail, and now runs TEMS training at the International School of Tactical Medicine. Listener discretion is advised.
Listener discretion is advised. References: PMID 12776641, 29463461
Listener discretion is advised.
Listener discretion is advised. References: Ehrman-Dupre R, Kaigh C, Salzman M, Haroz R, Peterson LK, Schmidt R. Management of Xylazine Withdrawal in a Hospitalized Patient: A Case Report. J Addict Med. 2022 Sep-Oct 01;16(5):595-598. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000955. Epub 2022 Jan 11. PMID: 35020700. London KS, Huo S, Murphy L, Warrick-Stone T, Goodstein D, Montesi M, Carter M, Butt S, Alexander K, Satz W, Tasillo A, Xu L, Arora M, Casey E, McKeever R, Lowenstein M, Durney P, Hart B, Perrone J. Severe Fentanyl Withdrawal Associated With Medetomidine Adulteration: A Multicenter Study From Philadelphia, PA. J Addict Med. 2025 Aug 1. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000001560. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40747932. Reel B, Maani CV. Dexmedetomidine. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513303/
Listener discretion is advised. References: Casey, J., Seitz, K., et al. (2025). Ketamine or Etomidate for Tracheal Intubation of Critically Ill Adults. NEJM. Available: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2511420?query=featured_home Farkas. (Dec 10, 2025). PulmCrit: Hot take on RSI trial of ketamine vs etomidate. Available: https://emcrit.org/pulmcrit/rsitrial/ Srivatsa S, Chawla M, Hernandez M, et al. Helicopter transport of trauma patients continues to be overutilized: a call for universal transport criterion. Am Surg. Published online September 13, 2025:31348251378910. doi:10.1177/00031348251378910.
LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Kim YG, Choi YY, Han KD, Min K, Choi HY, Shim J, Choi JI, Kim YH. Atrial fibrillation is associated with increased risk of lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 13;11(1):18111. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-97335-y. PMID: 34518592 Ren J, Yang Y, Zhu J, Wu S, Wang J, Zhang H, Shao X. The use of intravenous amiodarone in patients with atrial fibrillation and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2021 Jan;44(1):35-43. doi: 10.1111/pace.14113. Epub 2020 Dec 9. PMID: 33118640.
Listener discretion is advised. Greenhaw, R. & Jamali, M. (2021). Medical Helicopter Accident Review: Causes and Contributing Factors. Available: https://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/faa-aviation-medicine-reports/AM21-19.pdf Hinkelbein J, Schwalbe M, Genzwuerker HV. Helicopter emergency medical services accident rates in different international air rescue systems. Open Access Emerg Med. 2010;2:45-49. Millin MG, Innes JC, King GD, Abo BN, Kelly SM, Knoles CL, Vezzetti R, White CC 4th, Yee A, Gallagher JM. Prehospital Trauma Compendium: Prehospital Management of Spinal Cord Injuries - A NAEMSP Comprehensive Review and Analysis of the Literature. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2025 Aug 7:1-13.
Listener discretion is advised.
Listener discretion is advised. Thank you to Mike Damkot for coming onto the podcast. Check him out on his podcast "EMS On the Mountain."
Listener discretion is advised. Thank you to Pulmonologist Nick Ghionni and host of the EmCrit Podcast, Dr. Scott Weingart for coming onto the podcast and talking about approaches to the assessment and management of the often vague and really sick patient with respiratory distress.
Listener discretion is advised. DOSE VF Trial: PMID 36342151 PARAMEDIC: PMID 25467566 Heads Up CPR: PMID 39442790.
Listener discretion is advised. References: Christine Witten. Airway Jedi Blog. Available: https://airwayjedi.com/2019/01/24/etco2-valuable-vital-sign-perfusion/ Dubin A, Murias G, Estenssoro E, Canales H, Sottile P, Badie J, Barán M, Rossi S, Laporte M, Pálizas F, Giampieri J, Mediavilla D, Vacca E, Botta D. End-tidal CO2 pressure determinants during hemorrhagic shock. Intensive Care Med. 2000 Nov;26(11):1619-23. doi: 10.1007/s001340000669. PMID: 11193267. Öztürk Örmeci G, Yiğit Ö, Eray O. Utility of ETCO2 to predict hemorrhagic shock in multiple trauma patients. Turk J Med Sci. 2022 Feb;52(1):206-215. doi: 10.3906/sag-2103-206. Epub 2022 Feb 22. PMID: 36161601; PMCID: PMC10734833. Wahba RW, Tessler MJ, Béïque F, Kleiman SJ. Changes in PCO2 with acute changes in cardiac index. Can J Anaesth. 1996 Mar;43(3):243-5. doi: 10.1007/BF03011742. PMID: 8829863 Warner KJ, Cuschieri J, Garland B, Carlbom D, Baker D, Copass MK, Jurkovich GJ, Bulger EM. The utility of early end-tidal capnography in monitoring ventilation status after severe injury. J Trauma. 2009 Jan;66(1):26-3
@pulmtoilet Dr. Nick Ghionni comes onto dispel some of the thoughts on SCAPE and high-dose nitroglycerin. Listener discretion is advised.
Listener discretion is advised. Topics: Inappropriate OB Transfers Situational Awareness Organizational Standards and Lazy People
Listener discretion is advised. Dr. Steve Wood and Paramedic Ryan Mueller come on to debrief the New England Whole Blood Summit and talk about all things prehospital blood (and politics.....blood politics...not world politics)...
The audio is not studio-crisp beautiful. This was the first outdoor podcast I've ever recorded. Thanks to the crew for Heavy Lies the Helmet for coming onto the show and debriefing the Crash and Learn Conference. Listener discretion is advised.
Listener discretion is advised. @medicmagill and @ordinaryopsmedic come on to the podcast and discuss a topic I know absolutely nothing about: community paramedicine.
Listener discretion is advised. Rambling about a range of topics: Nobody cares that you work in the big city Clipboards, tablets, charting in front of the patient Video laryngoscopy The vallecula Stupid supervisors Dealing with stupid supervisors Needle decompression
Listener discretion is advised.
LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. References: Buxton. Sustained Monomorphic VT: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Evaluation. Up-to-Date. Farré J, Rubio JM, Sternick EB. Confounding factors leading to misdiagnosing ventricular tachycardia as supraventricular in the emergency room. Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J. 2023;23(1):1-13. doi:10.1016/j.ipej.2022.11.002 Kashou AH, Evenson CM, Noseworthy PA, et al. Differentiating wide complex tachycardias: A historical perspective. Indian Heart J. 2021;73(1):7-13. doi:10.1016/j.ihj.2020.09.006 Salim Rezaie, "SVT With Aberrancy Versus VT", REBEL EM blog, November 22, 2013. Available at: https://rebelem.com/svt-aberrancy-versus-vt/. Steinman RT, Herrera C, Schuger CD, Lehmann MH. Wide QRS tachycardia in the conscious adult. Ventricular tachycardia is the most frequent cause. JAMA. 1989 Feb 17;261(7):1013-6. PMID: 2915409. Vereckei A. Current algorithms for the diagnosis of wide QRS complex tachycardias. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2014 Aug;10(3):262-76. doi: 10.2174/1573403x10666140514103309. PMID: 24827795; PMCID: PMC4040878.
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