D1 - All Arrests Are Not Created Equal

E1 - Caring for Abdominal Emergencies

F1 - Band-Aids and Blood Pressure

Ed Racht, MD
With the release of AHA Guidelines 2005, we saw a significant shift in our approach to managing the patient in cardiac arrest. We have also gained a better understanding of the "why" behind the "what" in those patients that present pulseless and apneic. This presentation will break down "cardiac arrest" into several distinct syndromes that will allow us to better care for this group of patients.

Keith Wesley, MD, FACEP
Too often we dismiss ominous abdominal rumblings as simply a bellyache or constipation. This lecture will review the anatomy and physiology of the organs in the abdominal cavity and explore the possible emergency conditions that can occur. Understanding the signs and symptoms of abdominal emergencies, particularly in the elderly, may one day save your patient’s life.

Christopher Suprun, EMT-P / Firefighter
While many EMTs and First Responders are fond of trauma and the "blood and gore" of the street, they don’t understand some of the basic physiologic principles of bleeding and clotting that happen every minute of our lives. This presentation will cover the physiology of shock, monitoring techniques, and some of the treatment options we use to conquer bleeding and shock today.

D2 - The Worst Ways to Die: Drowning & Drugs

E2 - Challenging Prehospital Case Studies

F2 - Pediatric Preparations, Practice & Play Time

Scott DeBoer, RN, MSN, CCRN
When caring for children in the prehospital or emergency department settings, though uncommon, children do die. However, as any experienced EMS provider will tell you, there are definitely good ways to die and bad ways to die. With this in mind, this presentation will review the EMS and ER assessment and management controversies regarding drowning and drugs.

Paul Werfel, EMT-P
This will be a comprehensive and interactive discussion of 10 brand-new cases, with the objective of fine tuning the assessment skill of the prehospital practitioner. Participants will systematically examine and assess each patient, as well as suggest and discuss presumptive diagnosis and BLS and ALS treatment modalities. The group will compare and contrast these findings with the in-hospital diagnosis and treatment modalities.

Scott DeBoer, RN, MSN, CCRN
Proper planning prevents. When one is confronted with only a three-minute ETA of a critically ill or injured child, preparation is the key. This highly interactive presentation, through the use of several real-life scenarios, will focus on the ideal versus "what can I really have ready in three minutes" issues involving equipment, medications, and staff. So bring your Pedi-Wheels, Palm Pilots, and come play!

D3 - Acute Spinal Trauma

E3 - When the Crush is On

F3 - Don’t Drive Faster Than Your Angel Can Fly

Connie Mattera, MS, RN, TNS, EMT-P
This presentation reviews spinal anatomy and physiology, injury demographics, and epidemiology. Learn the art of assessing and documenting patient reliability, differentiating positive from uncertain mechanisms of injury, and performing a meaningful neuro exam to determine positive findings suggesting spine injury. The EMT’s ability to detect and stabilize these injuries is crucial to the patient’s long-term outcomes.

Mike Smith, EMT-P
If you’ve ever been on the scene where a pedestrian has been pinned by a vehicle, you know how devastating the resulting injuries can be. Irrespective of the mechanism, compartment syndrome can be a life-threatening event. Learn how to drastically reduce mortality and morbidity by taking the right steps when caring for these patients. This session is for all levels of EMS providers and nurses.

Deborah McCoy-Freeman, RN, NREMT-P
Can knowing your kinematics assist in your search or suspicion of injuries in the trauma patient? You bet! This is a review of the anatomy of a collision. Upon completion of this session, you will be able to define laws of motion energy and understand the geometric role increased speed pays in causing injuries, describe each type of auto collision and its effect on the restrained and unrestrained victim, and much more.

D4 - Every Breath You Take: CHF Case Studies

E4 - Prehospital Airway Management

F4 - When Memories Begin to Fade

Deborah McCoy-Freeman, RN, NREMT-P
More patients today are surviving their myocardial infarctions, but are left with the risk of congestive heart failure. Deb reviews CHF pathophysiology and discusses case studies of patients suffering from this interesting and challenging problem. Upon completion of this presentation, you will be able to discuss the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure, relate current treatment trends for CHF patients, and much more.

Mike Abernethy, MD, FAAEM
Airway management is not a definitive procedure but a spectrum of procedures, from a simple chin lift and supplemental oxygen on one end, to surgical cricothyroidotomy on the other. We will focus on airway positioning, the BVM, and oral/nasopharyngeal airways. We will also discuss the supralaryngeal airways (Combitube, LTs, and LMAs) and their place in the innovative concept of Rapid Sequence Airway.

John Elder, CCEMT-P
Alzheimer’s disease attacks the root of human existence and poses enormous challenges for those trying to care for these patients. This lecture explains our current understanding of the disease, and the efforts being made around the world to solve this puzzle. We will discuss the theories about the origins of this debilitating process, current therapies, and will explain the relationship of assessment findings and the progression of Alzheimer’s.

D5 - Compelling EMS Law Case Studies

E5 - Situational Awareness in EMS Operations

F5 - Listen to What I Mean, Not What I Say

Doug Wolfberg, Attorney
Using actual EMS court cases as a backdrop, this session will open your eyes to the liability pitfalls that may await the unwary EMS provider. This session will include "The Case of Negligent Documentation," "The Case of Apathy in Action," "The Refusal Gone Bad," and several others, all presented in a way that will help you avoid the same liability traps that arose in these cases.

Jon Politis, MPA, NREMT-P
Being aware of the situation around you and understanding its implications is the foundation to assessment and decision making. Unfortunately, key decisions are often made for all the wrong reasons, or because people are simply unaware of the consequences. This hard-hitting presentation uses a series of real case studies to make participants aware of the dangers involved in rescue and EMS operations.

Ed Racht, MD
What comes out of our mouths isn’t always exactly what we’re trying to convey (imagine that!). How others perceive us and what they think our motivations are may be communicated by much more than just words. In the world of EMS, perception is critical to managing our scenes, our patients, and making good choices about care. Come listen to (and watch) what I mean, not what I say.

D6 - Tales from the Darkside

E6 - Keeping Your Cool

F6 - Good Grief! A Look at Death and Dying

Christopher Suprun, EMT-P / Firefighter
Is it possible that the supernatural isn’t that supernatural and just rare medical cases that our ancestors misdiagnosed? This presentation covers several different disease processes that have been theorized to cause patients to suffer signs and symptoms much like the Halloween myths of Medieval lore. "Monsters" discussed in this program include vampires, werewolves, giants, hunchbacks, mermaids, zombies, and gnomes.

John Elder, CCEMT-P
Whether it is a ridiculous call at two in the morning or an accidental injury in the middle of the afternoon, keeping your cool could mean the difference between staying employed and catastrophe. This lecture is a lighthearted look into the interesting and amazing situations that healthcare providers face on a daily basis. From the hysterical to the terrible cases that drive home the importance of keeping your cool.

Dwight Polk, MSW, NREMT-P
Death is a regular part of the EMS provider’s job. You know, "it’s what we do." But do you really understand the process of dying? This presentation will not only look at the physiologic process of death, but will also discuss reactions by members of the decedent’s family as well as responding personnel. Techniques in proper death notifications will be demonstrated.

D7 - Leading with Attitude

E7 - Becoming a Better Company Officer

F7 - You’re Just Trying to Get Rid of the Volunteers!

Ed Buchanan, Fire Chief
Go to just about any fire station and you’ll likely hear someone talk about the values and work ethic they had when they came on the job, back when the mission was clear and company officer was king. This program will explore how we can truly make a difference in our organization, regardless of rank.

Troy Webster, Fire Captain
This high impact program is designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of the modern fireground for current and future officers. Topics to be covered range from incident size-up and modern building construction, to fireground command, tactical concepts, and much more to help make you a better company officer.

Ed Buchanan, Fire Chief
Truth is, there are people who are intent on getting rid of the volunteer fire department. Luckily, those cases are extremely rare! This program examines whether this is an attempt to get rid of volunteers, or just part of the evolution toward a combination system. The program also outlines the components for a successful combination system.