“Sometimes less is more,” a quote attributed to Shakespeare, serves as a reminder that all too often, we get fixated with technology and advancement. Instead, it would do our patients and us well to remember that we may have the best outcomes if we focus on delivering simple care well. This BLS before ALS concept frequently gets overlooked. Regarding cardiac arrest outcomes, high-quality CPR and early defibrillation — both BLS skills — greatly outweigh drugs, intubations, or other advanced procedures.

Another helpful reminder comes from Reuben Strayer: “ventilation is the most important skill in airway management. It is more important than laryngoscopy… If you are outstanding at laryngoscopy but average at ventilation, you’re in a bad position.” He follows with, “this leads to bad patient outcomes and a sad doctor. If you are average at laryngoscopy but outstanding at ventilation, things are good… Regardless of what’s happening with laryngoscopy, when you can ventilate, you can take as long as you need, pressure’s off; happy day.”

The ability to masterfully BVM the most challenging patient is often relegated to the least experienced person on the scene or in the room. This frequently is the opposite of what the patient needs. If we cannot achieve airway and breathing, we should not move on to other therapies.

I urge all levels of providers out there to think about their comfort level with ventilating a difficult patient and learn about ways to improve this skill. Consider practicing, developing a failed ventilation troubleshooting algorithm, and learning about new methods like the two-person “thumbs down technique.” Remember, when you can bag a patient, you have time!

Watch Emergency Ventilation by Reuben Strayer

EMS/Trauma Committee Update

Significant leadership changes on the state level have occurred in the past couple of months. Former state EMS Medical Director, Dr. Kenneth Scheppke, has been named Florida’s new Deputy Secretary of Health. In his place, Dr. Angus Jameson has taken over as the new state EMS Medical Director. A major congratulations to both! They have set high expectations for the future of EMS in the state of Florida.

FAEMSMD is celebrating its 40th anniversary. More to come regarding events and celebrations from EMLRC and FAEMSMD.

The recording has wrapped up on the EMS educational matching grant, Bytes You can View. Dr. Abo, Dr. Frank, and the team at EMLRC will finish editing these 15-min video modules and make these available for EMS crews across the state. Many thanks to all involved!

Florida EMSC is asking that everyone completes the pediatric readiness surveys. This survey is important for ongoing funding of state EMSC partnership grant programs. To begin, visit emscsurveys.org, select Florida as your state, identify your county from the drop-down menu, then select your agency name. The questionnaire should only take 10-15 minutes to complete. ■