Why Two Paramedics Watched Their Trainer Nearly Kill a Patient (And Said Nothing): How Lessons From The Aviation Industry Could Have Prevented It

A field trainer administers a non-indicated medication while two trainees watch in silence. Sound familiar? In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into how the aviation industry transformed from a punitive, hierarchical culture to one where crews actively prevent catastrophic errors—and how YOU can apply these same principles on your next EMS shift. Our guest, Glen, a commercial airline pilot and aviation safety expert, shares how the aviation industry has revolutionized itself through such methodologies as just culture, crew resource management, and error prevention tools like the inquiry, advocacy, assertiveness model. We explore how these principles can be effectively applied in our EMS world to improve safety and performance. By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with practical tactics to implement on your next shift, ensuring you and your crew can handle high-stress situations with confidence and competence. Key Concepts Covered: Crew Resource Management (CRM) Just Culture principles Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Power distance in medical teams Human factors in emergency medicine Error prevention strategies Books Mentioned by Glen: Just Culture by Sidney Dekker - https://amzn.to/3Su0A9Y The Myth of Multitasking: How "doing it all" gets nothing done - https://amzn.to/4dAFa4E  Crew Resource Management Practice and Principles- https://amzn.to/3ZIjXzZ Threat & Error Management resources - https://skybrary.aero/articles/threat-and-error-management-tem Other Resources: The Resus Tailor - https://www.theresustailor.com/  This Episodes Blog Post- https://emspodcast.com/what-airplane-crashes-teach-us-about-saving-lives-in-ems-lessons-in-crew-resource-management-and-just-culture-from-the-aviation-industry/  Gear We Like: Good Stethoscope - https://amzn.to/3YJJrf2 Good Shears - https://amzn.to/40FROuF or https://amzn.to/3ChZ4Tn  Notepad for taking notes on calls - https://amzn.to/3Z1X21J Sunglasses - https://frontline-optics.com/discount/EMSCAST15 Other books we recommend: The Dichotomy of Leadership - https://amzn.to/4fiCAjN Extreme Ownership - https://amzn.to/3O1FWfa  Managing the Unexpected: Sustained Performance in a Complex World -        https://amzn.to/3V7BwYf Thinking Fast and Slow - https://amzn.to/4fiJG85 A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedic's Wild Ride to the Edge and Back -  https://amzn.to/3YJJrf2 Guest/Cast/Crew information-Guest- GlenHost- Ross Orpet, Will Berry Catch up with us after the show Instagram- @emsloudandclear YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@EMSLoudandClear Website- www.emspodcast.com

Om Podcasten

Paramedic training is over, you’re in the front seat now. Whether day 1 or day 1,000 you can’t shake the fear you’re underprepared. You were taught to systematically decide if A... do B. But what if “A” wasn’t in the book? The truth is each emergency call is too unique to teach the right response to every situation. We need to go beyond algorithmic thinking and understand deeper principles, the WHY behind the algorithm. When every decision counts you want to rely on a framework that will guide you when things don’t make sense. Loud & Clear: EMS Guiding Principles is your resource to build that framework. Through discussions with experts, review of evidence-based best practices, and real-world case studies we teach you one step past what you learned in paramedic school. But all of this advanced education is connected back to the guiding principles that answer the question- “at the end of the day, what actually matters to the patient I have in front of me?” Our mission is to elevate your practice and help you improve patient outcomes in every emergency situation. You may not feel ready, you may not feel like you know enough, but by understanding the guiding principles of emergency medicine you can become an expert EMS clinician. Because what you do matters.