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The Fisdap Blog

Resources for EMS Responders to Keep Nearby

by  Bob Elling     Jan 24, 2025
ems-resources

There was a time in the earlier years of EMS training where it was less “acceptable” to refer to a resource or protocol manual, and we were expected to memorize all the essential information. At the same time, students on clinical rotations commonly observed medical professionals refer to resources they carried in their lab coat pockets.  

Over the years, the treatment protocols, the medic’s formulary, the clinical skills, as well as the training curriculum and the corresponding textbooks/training aids have continued to increase in length and complexity. Occasionally some things do fall out of grace, but generally with each update of training curricula comes additional skills and knowledge. 

One thing that has changed is that it is now acceptable to refer to resources rather than relying on memorizing everything. Technology has helped in some ways; most who carry a smartphone can easily carry the most current edition of their Regional Treatment Protocols. 

I am not suggesting we look up every step in the “cookbook” before proceeding. However, having protocols with you is helpful when the call is not a common one, the treatment is not administered frequently, or protocols have changed! Errors made by EMS providers could lead to an adverse drug reaction or potentially violate the principle of bioethics all medical professionals follow: Primum non nocere, which is Latin for “first do no harm.”, 

It is essential that you learn your protocols and also have them available as a reference. It may not instill confidence when read in front of the patient, but a quick check or a “let me confirm that dose or what else that drug does for you,” is certainly acceptable!  

Changing EMT and Paramedic Standards
EMTs and paramedics may notice each year there is often more and more information they need to know. Unless they choose to become instructors, they usually do not obtain new copies of the books as new editions come out. In contrast, EMS instructors, who need to be prepared to teach the most up–to-date information, do obtain updated books and instructional resources. Let’s look at the increase in pages alone in the EMT and paramedic textbooks:. 

  • In 1971, the first edition of Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured was 295 pages. 

  • In 1979, the first edition of Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets was 524 pages.  

Like your computer’s storage, your memory has only so much room. Years ago, we used to have to memorize a few phone numbers and carry a little black book to reference. I carried a few index cards with all the local hospital EDs and fire station phone numbers and therefore did not fill my brain with those numbers. Now, most of us have become so reliant on our phones that we don’t know most phone numbers! 

Essential information needs to be found quickly and be accurate so we can make sometimes life-saving decisions. Relying solely on your memory could be problematic, so it’s important to check the critical information and confirm it before proceeding.  

Examples of Info to Keep Accessible
I usually don’t memorize detailed charts; instead, I keep them nearby and quickly refer to them. This concept is even recognized in testing, such as APGAR. Here are some examples:   

  • Consider rolling up on a potential hazmat incident and seeing a leaking overturned tanker with a visible DOT placard. No one expects first responders to look at the placard and immediately know what to do. We do expect the responders to pull out the Emergency Response Guidebook (or app in their smartphone) to help them determine the initial evacuation distance and specifics about the chemical based on the number on the placard. First responders do not have the info in the ERG memorized but should know how to properly use the ERG and follow their service SOPs. 

  • You have an unconscious patient whose neighbor helped you access their home. The neighbor knows she has been very sick recently and takes lots of medications but doesn’t know more than that. You find a table with a pile of prescription medication bottles. As time and the patient’s condition permits, you write down the meds and dose to bring to the ED. En route, a reference is helpful to determine what types of meds the patient is taking and provide useful clues on their medical history.  

  • When confronted with pediatric vitals and drug doses, do you carry a pediatric stethoscope around your neck? Probably not, unless you work in a mostly pediatric environment, but as an EMS provider, you need to know normal and abnormal vital signs by pediatric age group. Learn them but also consider referring to a chart. Dosing of medications is usually weight-specific, and the calculations can be intimidating, so refer to a chart prior to administering a medication to a child. Keep in mind that in a hospital, it is not uncommon for a pediatric patient to be weighted, with a list of resuscitation drugs for a child of that specific weight kept near their bed.  

Field Guide Suggestions
An internet search will reveal a number of EMS field guides. My advice is to select the one that is the most updated version. Though the older versions are less expensive, the information might be outdated. Make sure it will fit in your pocket if that is where you plan to carry it. Some EMS professionals carry a field guide in their assessment bag or keep one handy in the ambulance patient compartment with a copy of Regional Protocols and the ERG.  

I like to read the miscellaneous info in field guides. For example, some Spanish translations of common assessment phrases are helpful in many communities. The other useful listing is common medical terms/abbreviations. There are plenty you should know but some are not so common, especially when reviewing patient transfer paperwork. For example, don’t confuse OB (obstetrical) with OBS (organic brain syndrome). In addition, some medical abbreviations are no longer used because they are confusing and can lead to safety issues; for example, it is no longer acceptable practice to abbreviate the drugs morphine sulfate and magnesium sulfate. Instead, simply write out the names of those two drugs to not confuse them! 

Here are two great field guides:
EMS Field Guide, BLS Version: 10th Edition
By: Paula Derr, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN and Mike McEvoy, PhD, NRP, RN, CCRN 

Designed for both beginning and experienced EMTs, the EMS Field Guide, BLS Version is an ideal quick reference. This field guide gives you immediate access to vital information needed to perform your job and is organized into the following areas, which are clearly identified by color-coded tabs: Pediatrics, Airway Management, Resuscitation, Medical Emergencies, Neurologic, Poisons and Overdose, Trauma, Emergency Medications, Prescription Drugs, and Miscellaneous. The 10th edition includes the following updates: 

  • Revised to reflect the most current guidelines and medication dosages 

  • Detailed ECG analyses illustrations 

  • New content on I-gel supraglottic airway 

  • Enhanced information on noninvasive ventilation 

  • Updated pediatric medications to reflect best practice recommendations 

  • Completely revised Emergency Medications section to include dozens of new medications and pediatric dosing 

  • New content on Ebola, mpox, and COVID-19 

  • Revised trauma triage algorithm to reflect 2022 recommendations 

  • Revised Poisoning section, adding GHB, beta-blocker overdose, calcium channel blocker overdose, Jimson weed, khat, LSD, and mushrooms 

  • Revised Prescription Drugs section to reflect hundreds of new brand-name and generic drugs 

This field guide includes all other charts and references that EMTs and AEMTs need access to in the field: APGAR, pediatric vital signs, stroke scales, GCS (infant, child, and adult), pupil chart, CDC Trauma Triage, O2 tank capacities, prescription drugs, abbreviations, spell checker, phone numbers, Spanish translations, and metric conversions. 

EMS Field Guide, ALS Version, 21st Edition
By: Paula Derr, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN and Mike McEvoy, PhD, NRP, RN, CCRN 

The original EMS field guide has grown to become the most used EMS reference guide. The 21st edition of the EMS Field Guide, ALS Version makes it easy for AEMTs, paramedics, and nurses to look up their patients' medications, check drug doses, and quickly interpret 12-Lead ECGs. It is organized into the following areas, which are clearly identified by color- coded tabs: Pediatrics, Airway Management, Resuscitation, Medical Emergencies, Neurologic, Poisons and Overdose, Trauma, Emergency Medications, Prescription Drugs and Miscellaneous Info. The 21st edition includes the following updates: 

  • Revised to reflect the most current guidelines and medication dosage recommendations 

  • More detailed ECG analyses illustrations 

  • New content on I-gel supraglottic airway 

  • Enhanced information on noninvasive ventilation 

  • Updated content on pediatric medications to reflect best practice recommendations 

  • Revised Emergency Medications section to include dozens of new medications and pediatric dosing 

  • New content on Ebola, mpox, and COVID-19 

  • Revised trauma triage algorithm to reflect 2022 recommendations 

  • Revised Poisoning section, adding GHB, beta-blocker overdose, calcium channel blocker overdose, Jimson weed, khat, LSD, and mushrooms 

  • Revised Prescription Drugs section to reflect hundreds of new brand-name and generic drugs 

There’s also a pocket guide for critical care paramedics, nurses, and physicians, the Emergency & Critical Care Pocket Guide, Ninth Edition. These Informed field guides are 3x5, fit easily in your pocket, have color-coded tabs, and are water-resistant and durable. 

Smart Phone App Suggestions for Your Consideration
Here are a few interactive smart phone apps worth your consideration, provided you can use them in your district (per SOP and available cellular service). One advantage is you can make the print larger or enlarge sections of photos/charts to make them easier to read.  

  • Pedi STAT EMS: Developed specifically for prehospital providers, the content is applicable to first responders, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and critical care transport providers. Medication dosing and pediatric equipment sizes are easily and rapidly accessed and accurately calculated based on provider input of either weight, length, age, or Broselow/Pediatape weight estimates. This also includes algorithms and medical calculators to assist providers in multiple areas, including managing pediatric cardiac arrest, burn size estimation and fluid resuscitation, and the Glasgow Coma Scale. 

  • PPP (Paramedic Protocol Provider): For quick offline access to over 350 field treatment protocols from the USA and Canada, an annual in-app subscription is required and downloaded protocols do not update without a subscription. Features include: 350+ protocols and supporting documents, quick indexed lookup of content in a matter of seconds, search titles and text, favorites tab for quick access of what's important to you, regular updates to ensure content in current, and customizable notes for each individual entry. 

  • Epocrates: This drug info and interaction checker features  Rx and OTC monographs (including pharmacology, prescribing and safety information, adult and pediatric dosing, adverse reactions, contraindications, black box warnings, pregnancy and lactation considerations); drug interaction checker (to prevent harmful interactions between up to 30 brand, generic, OTC, or alternative drugs at a time); pill identifier (drug guide organized by shape, color, imprint code); 600+ dosing calculators, medical equations, and tools; and a customizable home screen with drag-and-drop simplicity. 

  • OmniMedix: A street medic created this medical calculator with a simple design that allows the user to calculate the proper medication infusion rate within seconds. Agency protocols are different and medications in EMS come and go, so OmniMedix is the only calculator based on infusion rates, not specific medications, allowing it to be used with virtually any medication. It can be used in all clinical environments: EMS, ED, ICU, and medical offices. Also included are weight and temperature conversions, common pediatric calculations, medication bolus calculations, and the Parkland Burn Formula for fluid resuscitation. This app is a must -have for anyone who administers IV medications and is designed with those who rarely calculate drip rates. 

  • Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG): The U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook provides first responders with a go-to resource to help deal with hazmat accidents during the critical first 30 minutes. The ERG contains an indexed list of dangerous goods and the associated ID number, the general hazards they pose, and recommended safety precautions. The ERG is updated every four years, and the 2024 version includes: general revisions, reorganized general information pages, protective distance mapping updates, and the new ability to share data links through URLs. The ERG (hard copy) is available free to public safety agencies in all states and territories through designated state coordinators’ offices.  

  • AHA ACLS: This app is AHA's officially endorsed digital health solution to assist in running codes and delivering ACLS care. Developed by Harvard-trained physicians, in collaboration with the AHA, the app helps ACLS providers deliver the highest level of advanced cardiac life support. It began as a project to assist clinicians within Massachusetts General Hospital and then expanded to have a global scope after significant positive impact was demonstrated. Real-time feedback from clinician users continuously drives improvements in app design, features, and function to offer a great experience providing life-saving care. Features include: intuitive design to rapidly access 4 ACLS algorithms; ACLS content (such as drug therapy, dosing, and reversible causes); easy-to-read timers and ability to log rounds of CPR, epinephrine, and defibrillations; a button within cardiac arrest algorithm that allows rapid transition to post-cardiac arrest care once patient achieves ROSC; and regularly updates with the most current content. 

Summary
In summary, keep the following key points in mind:  

  • It is the EMS provider’s responsibility to learn and stay competent in the assessment and management of our patients.  

  • Learn your Regional Treatment Protocols and all the pertinent information about the medications carried on your unit. 

  • Don’t be afraid to confirm your decisions by checking a handy reference such as a chart, field guide, or smart phone app.  

  • A good field guide is a resource you'll use in class and take (updated editions) with you in the field throughout your career. 

  • When sitting in a parking lot waiting for your next assignment, flip through your Field Guide to review for future calls. 

  • As always, stay situationally aware and be careful out there! 

References/Resources: 

Read More by Bob Elling: 

About the author:
Bob Elling, MPA, Paramedic (retired) – has been a career paramedic, educator, author, and EMS advocate since 1975. He was a paramedic with the Town of Colonie EMS Department, Albany Times Union Center, and Whiteface Mountain Medical Services. He was also an Albany Medical Center Clinical Instructor assigned to the Hudson Valley Community College Paramedic Program. Bob has served as National/Regional Faculty for the AHA and involved in many successful life-saving legislative campaigns with the You’re the Cure Network. He also served as paramedic and lieutenant for New York City EMS, a paramedic program director, and associate director of New York State EMS Bureau. He has authored hundreds of articles, videos, and textbooks to prepare EMS providers for their career. Bob is the ECSI Medical Editor for the CPR and First Aid Series, Co-Author of EVOS-2, and Co-Lead Editor of Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets.

EMS and Critical Care Pocket Guides

Our newly updated EMS pocket references contain concise, current, evidence-based guidance on emergencies that every member of your EMS team can use just when they need it. EMS and fire instructors interested in bulk purchases of these valuable pocket guides can reach out to an account manager today.

Find an Account Manager
EMS and Critical Care Pocket Guides

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Resources for EMS Responders to Keep Nearby

by  Bob Elling     Jan 24, 2025
ems-resources

There was a time in the earlier years of EMS training where it was less “acceptable” to refer to a resource or protocol manual, and we were expected to memorize all the essential information. At the same time, students on clinical rotations commonly observed medical professionals refer to resources they carried in their lab coat pockets.  

Over the years, the treatment protocols, the medic’s formulary, the clinical skills, as well as the training curriculum and the corresponding textbooks/training aids have continued to increase in length and complexity. Occasionally some things do fall out of grace, but generally with each update of training curricula comes additional skills and knowledge. 

One thing that has changed is that it is now acceptable to refer to resources rather than relying on memorizing everything. Technology has helped in some ways; most who carry a smartphone can easily carry the most current edition of their Regional Treatment Protocols. 

I am not suggesting we look up every step in the “cookbook” before proceeding. However, having protocols with you is helpful when the call is not a common one, the treatment is not administered frequently, or protocols have changed! Errors made by EMS providers could lead to an adverse drug reaction or potentially violate the principle of bioethics all medical professionals follow: Primum non nocere, which is Latin for “first do no harm.”, 

It is essential that you learn your protocols and also have them available as a reference. It may not instill confidence when read in front of the patient, but a quick check or a “let me confirm that dose or what else that drug does for you,” is certainly acceptable!  

Changing EMT and Paramedic Standards
EMTs and paramedics may notice each year there is often more and more information they need to know. Unless they choose to become instructors, they usually do not obtain new copies of the books as new editions come out. In contrast, EMS instructors, who need to be prepared to teach the most up–to-date information, do obtain updated books and instructional resources. Let’s look at the increase in pages alone in the EMT and paramedic textbooks:. 

  • In 1971, the first edition of Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured was 295 pages. 

  • In 1979, the first edition of Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets was 524 pages.  

Like your computer’s storage, your memory has only so much room. Years ago, we used to have to memorize a few phone numbers and carry a little black book to reference. I carried a few index cards with all the local hospital EDs and fire station phone numbers and therefore did not fill my brain with those numbers. Now, most of us have become so reliant on our phones that we don’t know most phone numbers! 

Essential information needs to be found quickly and be accurate so we can make sometimes life-saving decisions. Relying solely on your memory could be problematic, so it’s important to check the critical information and confirm it before proceeding.  

Examples of Info to Keep Accessible
I usually don’t memorize detailed charts; instead, I keep them nearby and quickly refer to them. This concept is even recognized in testing, such as APGAR. Here are some examples:   

  • Consider rolling up on a potential hazmat incident and seeing a leaking overturned tanker with a visible DOT placard. No one expects first responders to look at the placard and immediately know what to do. We do expect the responders to pull out the Emergency Response Guidebook (or app in their smartphone) to help them determine the initial evacuation distance and specifics about the chemical based on the number on the placard. First responders do not have the info in the ERG memorized but should know how to properly use the ERG and follow their service SOPs. 

  • You have an unconscious patient whose neighbor helped you access their home. The neighbor knows she has been very sick recently and takes lots of medications but doesn’t know more than that. You find a table with a pile of prescription medication bottles. As time and the patient’s condition permits, you write down the meds and dose to bring to the ED. En route, a reference is helpful to determine what types of meds the patient is taking and provide useful clues on their medical history.  

  • When confronted with pediatric vitals and drug doses, do you carry a pediatric stethoscope around your neck? Probably not, unless you work in a mostly pediatric environment, but as an EMS provider, you need to know normal and abnormal vital signs by pediatric age group. Learn them but also consider referring to a chart. Dosing of medications is usually weight-specific, and the calculations can be intimidating, so refer to a chart prior to administering a medication to a child. Keep in mind that in a hospital, it is not uncommon for a pediatric patient to be weighted, with a list of resuscitation drugs for a child of that specific weight kept near their bed.  

Field Guide Suggestions
An internet search will reveal a number of EMS field guides. My advice is to select the one that is the most updated version. Though the older versions are less expensive, the information might be outdated. Make sure it will fit in your pocket if that is where you plan to carry it. Some EMS professionals carry a field guide in their assessment bag or keep one handy in the ambulance patient compartment with a copy of Regional Protocols and the ERG.  

I like to read the miscellaneous info in field guides. For example, some Spanish translations of common assessment phrases are helpful in many communities. The other useful listing is common medical terms/abbreviations. There are plenty you should know but some are not so common, especially when reviewing patient transfer paperwork. For example, don’t confuse OB (obstetrical) with OBS (organic brain syndrome). In addition, some medical abbreviations are no longer used because they are confusing and can lead to safety issues; for example, it is no longer acceptable practice to abbreviate the drugs morphine sulfate and magnesium sulfate. Instead, simply write out the names of those two drugs to not confuse them! 

Here are two great field guides:
EMS Field Guide, BLS Version: 10th Edition
By: Paula Derr, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN and Mike McEvoy, PhD, NRP, RN, CCRN 

Designed for both beginning and experienced EMTs, the EMS Field Guide, BLS Version is an ideal quick reference. This field guide gives you immediate access to vital information needed to perform your job and is organized into the following areas, which are clearly identified by color-coded tabs: Pediatrics, Airway Management, Resuscitation, Medical Emergencies, Neurologic, Poisons and Overdose, Trauma, Emergency Medications, Prescription Drugs, and Miscellaneous. The 10th edition includes the following updates: 

  • Revised to reflect the most current guidelines and medication dosages 

  • Detailed ECG analyses illustrations 

  • New content on I-gel supraglottic airway 

  • Enhanced information on noninvasive ventilation 

  • Updated pediatric medications to reflect best practice recommendations 

  • Completely revised Emergency Medications section to include dozens of new medications and pediatric dosing 

  • New content on Ebola, mpox, and COVID-19 

  • Revised trauma triage algorithm to reflect 2022 recommendations 

  • Revised Poisoning section, adding GHB, beta-blocker overdose, calcium channel blocker overdose, Jimson weed, khat, LSD, and mushrooms 

  • Revised Prescription Drugs section to reflect hundreds of new brand-name and generic drugs 

This field guide includes all other charts and references that EMTs and AEMTs need access to in the field: APGAR, pediatric vital signs, stroke scales, GCS (infant, child, and adult), pupil chart, CDC Trauma Triage, O2 tank capacities, prescription drugs, abbreviations, spell checker, phone numbers, Spanish translations, and metric conversions. 

EMS Field Guide, ALS Version, 21st Edition
By: Paula Derr, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN and Mike McEvoy, PhD, NRP, RN, CCRN 

The original EMS field guide has grown to become the most used EMS reference guide. The 21st edition of the EMS Field Guide, ALS Version makes it easy for AEMTs, paramedics, and nurses to look up their patients' medications, check drug doses, and quickly interpret 12-Lead ECGs. It is organized into the following areas, which are clearly identified by color- coded tabs: Pediatrics, Airway Management, Resuscitation, Medical Emergencies, Neurologic, Poisons and Overdose, Trauma, Emergency Medications, Prescription Drugs and Miscellaneous Info. The 21st edition includes the following updates: 

  • Revised to reflect the most current guidelines and medication dosage recommendations 

  • More detailed ECG analyses illustrations 

  • New content on I-gel supraglottic airway 

  • Enhanced information on noninvasive ventilation 

  • Updated content on pediatric medications to reflect best practice recommendations 

  • Revised Emergency Medications section to include dozens of new medications and pediatric dosing 

  • New content on Ebola, mpox, and COVID-19 

  • Revised trauma triage algorithm to reflect 2022 recommendations 

  • Revised Poisoning section, adding GHB, beta-blocker overdose, calcium channel blocker overdose, Jimson weed, khat, LSD, and mushrooms 

  • Revised Prescription Drugs section to reflect hundreds of new brand-name and generic drugs 

There’s also a pocket guide for critical care paramedics, nurses, and physicians, the Emergency & Critical Care Pocket Guide, Ninth Edition. These Informed field guides are 3x5, fit easily in your pocket, have color-coded tabs, and are water-resistant and durable. 

Smart Phone App Suggestions for Your Consideration
Here are a few interactive smart phone apps worth your consideration, provided you can use them in your district (per SOP and available cellular service). One advantage is you can make the print larger or enlarge sections of photos/charts to make them easier to read.  

  • Pedi STAT EMS: Developed specifically for prehospital providers, the content is applicable to first responders, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and critical care transport providers. Medication dosing and pediatric equipment sizes are easily and rapidly accessed and accurately calculated based on provider input of either weight, length, age, or Broselow/Pediatape weight estimates. This also includes algorithms and medical calculators to assist providers in multiple areas, including managing pediatric cardiac arrest, burn size estimation and fluid resuscitation, and the Glasgow Coma Scale. 

  • PPP (Paramedic Protocol Provider): For quick offline access to over 350 field treatment protocols from the USA and Canada, an annual in-app subscription is required and downloaded protocols do not update without a subscription. Features include: 350+ protocols and supporting documents, quick indexed lookup of content in a matter of seconds, search titles and text, favorites tab for quick access of what's important to you, regular updates to ensure content in current, and customizable notes for each individual entry. 

  • Epocrates: This drug info and interaction checker features  Rx and OTC monographs (including pharmacology, prescribing and safety information, adult and pediatric dosing, adverse reactions, contraindications, black box warnings, pregnancy and lactation considerations); drug interaction checker (to prevent harmful interactions between up to 30 brand, generic, OTC, or alternative drugs at a time); pill identifier (drug guide organized by shape, color, imprint code); 600+ dosing calculators, medical equations, and tools; and a customizable home screen with drag-and-drop simplicity. 

  • OmniMedix: A street medic created this medical calculator with a simple design that allows the user to calculate the proper medication infusion rate within seconds. Agency protocols are different and medications in EMS come and go, so OmniMedix is the only calculator based on infusion rates, not specific medications, allowing it to be used with virtually any medication. It can be used in all clinical environments: EMS, ED, ICU, and medical offices. Also included are weight and temperature conversions, common pediatric calculations, medication bolus calculations, and the Parkland Burn Formula for fluid resuscitation. This app is a must -have for anyone who administers IV medications and is designed with those who rarely calculate drip rates. 

  • Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG): The U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook provides first responders with a go-to resource to help deal with hazmat accidents during the critical first 30 minutes. The ERG contains an indexed list of dangerous goods and the associated ID number, the general hazards they pose, and recommended safety precautions. The ERG is updated every four years, and the 2024 version includes: general revisions, reorganized general information pages, protective distance mapping updates, and the new ability to share data links through URLs. The ERG (hard copy) is available free to public safety agencies in all states and territories through designated state coordinators’ offices.  

  • AHA ACLS: This app is AHA's officially endorsed digital health solution to assist in running codes and delivering ACLS care. Developed by Harvard-trained physicians, in collaboration with the AHA, the app helps ACLS providers deliver the highest level of advanced cardiac life support. It began as a project to assist clinicians within Massachusetts General Hospital and then expanded to have a global scope after significant positive impact was demonstrated. Real-time feedback from clinician users continuously drives improvements in app design, features, and function to offer a great experience providing life-saving care. Features include: intuitive design to rapidly access 4 ACLS algorithms; ACLS content (such as drug therapy, dosing, and reversible causes); easy-to-read timers and ability to log rounds of CPR, epinephrine, and defibrillations; a button within cardiac arrest algorithm that allows rapid transition to post-cardiac arrest care once patient achieves ROSC; and regularly updates with the most current content. 

Summary
In summary, keep the following key points in mind:  

  • It is the EMS provider’s responsibility to learn and stay competent in the assessment and management of our patients.  

  • Learn your Regional Treatment Protocols and all the pertinent information about the medications carried on your unit. 

  • Don’t be afraid to confirm your decisions by checking a handy reference such as a chart, field guide, or smart phone app.  

  • A good field guide is a resource you'll use in class and take (updated editions) with you in the field throughout your career. 

  • When sitting in a parking lot waiting for your next assignment, flip through your Field Guide to review for future calls. 

  • As always, stay situationally aware and be careful out there! 

References/Resources: 

Read More by Bob Elling: 

About the author:
Bob Elling, MPA, Paramedic (retired) – has been a career paramedic, educator, author, and EMS advocate since 1975. He was a paramedic with the Town of Colonie EMS Department, Albany Times Union Center, and Whiteface Mountain Medical Services. He was also an Albany Medical Center Clinical Instructor assigned to the Hudson Valley Community College Paramedic Program. Bob has served as National/Regional Faculty for the AHA and involved in many successful life-saving legislative campaigns with the You’re the Cure Network. He also served as paramedic and lieutenant for New York City EMS, a paramedic program director, and associate director of New York State EMS Bureau. He has authored hundreds of articles, videos, and textbooks to prepare EMS providers for their career. Bob is the ECSI Medical Editor for the CPR and First Aid Series, Co-Author of EVOS-2, and Co-Lead Editor of Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets.

EMS and Critical Care Pocket Guides

Our newly updated EMS pocket references contain concise, current, evidence-based guidance on emergencies that every member of your EMS team can use just when they need it. EMS and fire instructors interested in bulk purchases of these valuable pocket guides can reach out to an account manager today.

Find an Account Manager
EMS and Critical Care Pocket Guides

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