November Educational Webinar: Dyspnea, Fear, or Both? Differentiating breathing problems from hyperventilation syndrome
Join Us Virtually
Each month, WEMSA members are able to access a free online webinar exclusive to members only! Accredited for 1 CEU, each month will feature a different topic that is relevant to a variety of EMS levels. This month's webinar will take place on November 30th from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM. You must register for the course using your member profile to ensure you have access to the class. You will then be able to click the "Join Us Virtually" link above that will become live 15 minutes prior to the webinar on the Event Page.
November's topic is Dyspnea, Fear, or Both? Differentiating breathing problems from hyperventilation syndrome with Latimer Hoke, M.Ed., Paramedic with Jay Peak Ski Patrol, Milton Rescue, and Fairfax Rescue
Course Description: Difficulty breathing is the most common dispatch reason in many EMS systems, with almost endless differential diagnoses. Is that wheezing from COPD or from CHF? How can we tell the difference between an asthma attack and a panic attack? The answer matters: certain respiratory treatments can be life saving for some patients, but counterproductive and even harmful for other patients. This session will simplify common causes for difficulty breathing and their associated assessment findings, and help providers make more accurate treatment decisions.
Learning Objectives:
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Review the wide variety of causes for difficulty breathing, separating them into three categories; primary cardiac dyspnea, primary respiratory dyspnea, and primary psychogenic dyspnea.
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Gather evidence to differentiate between common respiratory emergencies, including pulmonary edema, reactive airway diseases, anaphylactic reactions, infections, and pulmonary embolism.
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Differentiate between an actual breathing problem and hyperventilation syndrome.
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Operate with increased confidence on difficulty breathing calls.
Target Audience: Basic (First Responder & above)
Kevin Connelly
Founder, Reconnect Breath
Kevin Connelly is the founder of Reconnect, an education company specializing in breathwork and nervous system regulation training built around his proprietary RIA (Regulation, Intervention, Activation) framework. He holds Oxygen Advantage Instructor and Peak Flow Breathwork Coach certifications and runs an ICF-Accredited Breathwork Instructor Training program. Kevin holds an M.P.A. and is the author of the book Breathe Into It, which addresses managing addiction through breath and mindfulness.
Over the past five years, Kevin has led more than 6,000 people through breathwork and nervous system regulation training, including expeditions to the Himalayas centered on breath and regulation practice. He has published original research measuring the effects of guided breathwork on brain activity and heart coherence, and has created trainings for organizations such as the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), 1st Responder Conferences, and the International Coaching Federation. Kevin's work focuses on the physiology of breath as a practical tool for regulation, resilience, and performance in high-stress professions.
About This Webinar's CE Credit
WEMSA's monthly educational webinars are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education (CAPCE). Each webinar is approved for 1.0 CAPCE Continuing Education credit hour, applicable toward the continuing education requirements for EMS recertification at the EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic levels.
CAPCE is the national standard-setting body for EMS continuing education. CE earned through CAPCE-accredited programs is recognized by state EMS offices across the country, including the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and is accepted for National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) recertification.
How to Earn Your CE Credit
To be awarded CE credit for this webinar, attendees must meet all three of the following requirements:
- Attend a Majority of the Live Webinar Participants must be present and actively connected for the majority of the webinar session. This is a CAPCE accreditation requirement — partial attendance that does not meet the majority threshold will not qualify for credit. Please plan to join on time and remain for the duration of the presentation.
- Complete the Post-Webinar Survey Following the session, you will receive an email from WEMSA with a link to the required post-webinar evaluation survey. Completion of this survey is mandatory to receive CE credit. The survey evaluates the quality, relevance, and learning objectives of the educational content presented. This feedback is required by CAPCE as part of the accreditation process and helps WEMSA continue to improve future programming.
- Be Marked as Attended Once WEMSA staff confirms your attendance and survey completion, your record will be updated in Member Compass. Please allow 1–2 business days following your survey submission for your certificate to appear
Can't Attend Live? No Problem.
All WEMSA monthly webinars are recorded and uploaded to the WEMSA Learning Portal following the live session, available exclusively to active WEMSA members.
On-demand recordings are also CAPCE-accredited for 1.0 CE credit hour, but the requirements differ from the live session:
- Post Test — A knowledge assessment based on the webinar content must be completed and passed
- Post Survey — The post-webinar evaluation survey must also be completed
Once both are submitted and confirmed, your certificate will be available in your Member Compass account within 1–2 business days.
Access on-demand webinars anytime at learning.wisconsinems.com
Accessing Your Certificate in Member Compass
Once all requirements have been met, your CE certificate will be available in your WEMSA Member Compass account. Here's how to find it:
- Log in to your WEMSA Member Compass account at wisconsinems.com/member-compass
- Navigate to the "Continuing Education" tab on the left side of your dashboard
- Locate the webinar and click "View Credit" to access your certificate
- Download and retain your certificate for your records
If you need to submit proof of completion for NREMT recertification or state license renewal, this certificate serves as your official documentation.
If you do not see your certificate within 1–2 business days of completing all required steps, please contact Breana Rinker, Education Coordinator, at breana@wisconsinems.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn CE by watching the recording if I miss the live session? Yes, all webinars are recorded and uploaded to the WEMSA Learning Portal after the live session. On-demand recordings are CAPCE-accredited and available exclusively to active WEMSA members. The on-demand pathway requires completion of both a post test and a post survey before CE credit is awarded. These are typically available about 1 - 2 weeks after the live webinar takes place.
What if I lose my connection briefly during the live webinar? Brief technical interruptions are understandable. However, if you are disconnected for a significant portion of the session and cannot meet the majority attendance requirement, you will not be eligible for live credit for that session. You are encouraged to complete the on-demand version through the Learning Portal to still earn your CE.
How long until my certificate appears in Member Compass? Please allow 1–2 business days after completing all required steps. If your certificate has not appeared after that window, contact WEMSA staff for assistance.
Where do I find my certificate once it's been issued? Log in to your WEMSA Member Compass, navigate to the "Continuing Education" tab on the left side of your dashboard, and click "View Credit" next to the applicable webinar to download your certificate.
Does this CE count toward my NREMT recertification? Yes. CAPCE-accredited CE is accepted by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for recertification. Always verify your individual state's specific requirements, as Wisconsin and other states may have additional or varied requirements.
Do I need to be a WEMSA member to earn CE? Yes. At this time, live webinar registration and on-demand recording access through the Learning Portal are all exclusive to active WEMSA members. To become a member, visit wisconsinems.com/membership.
Questions about CE or accreditation? Contact Breana Rinker, WEMSA's Education Coordinator at breana@wisconsinems.com
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