It happens, a transport is refused. “Weather no go,” that is an easy one. But what happens when a crew member says no? Because they are tired, have concerns about support, or a bad feeling? What if they need to get 8 charts done? Embracing a culture that empowers team... Read More

On December 29, 1972, Eastern Airlines Flight 401 crashed into the Florida Everglades killing 101 people, not because of mechanical failure, but because the entire flight crew became fixated on a burnt-out landing gear indicator. While troubleshooting this issue, no one was flying the airplane, and it crashed. Join Airline... Read More

Critical care transport medicine thrives in the tension between tradition, training, and passionate belief. This session steps into the gray zones where evidence collides with dogma—and even contradicts itself. We'll talk about induction drugs, crystalloid, calcium, bicarbonate, oxygen, and vasopressors in trauma resuscitation. We'll exercise your brain and your emotional... Read More

The MOTHER of all ethical crises. The cornerstone of medicine is patient advocacy. We intervene with families, law enforcement, and other healthcare providers to protect our patient’s directives. Imagine witnessing your patient’s rights being steamrolled, trampled, and knowingly ignored. An unfolding case study will describe the intersection of your worst... Read More

When lives hang in the balance, the right medication at the right moment can make all the difference. This engaging and fast-paced session dives into the real-world pharmacologic challenges faced by transport clinicians—from airway meds and sedation to analgesia and controversial drug choices. Packed with clinical pearls, cautionary tales, and... Read More

Discover The Chilly Truth behind therapeutic hypothermia in neonatal transport. This session takes you inside one of the most powerful evidence-based interventions for infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) — cooling therapy. We’ll move beyond the basics to explore why and when transport teams initiate hypothermia, the science behind its neuroprotective... Read More

Severe pelvic fractures remain among the most lethal challenges in trauma care, often presenting with massive hemorrhage and multisystem injury. This session uses a real-world case study to highlight prehospital and emergency department decision-making, including pelvic stabilization, resuscitation strategies, and the role of tranexamic acid. Participants will explore current guidelines,... Read More

Managing critically ill patients with right ventricular heart failure can be challenging. This dynamic lecture will use a real case based presentation to illustrate key management principles in the management of these patients. Topics discussed will include airway management in this patient population, fluid dynamics and the right ventricle, managing... Read More

Subdural hematoma patients present one of the most complex challenges in critical care transport—where every minute, movement, and millimeter of midline shift can make a difference. This high-impact presentation explores the physiology, pitfalls, and flight considerations involved in safely moving these high-acuity neuro patients. Through real-world case analysis and evidence-based... Read More

Critically ill patients undergoing transport are at underreported risk for elevations in intraabdominal pressure (IAP) which can result in rapid deterioration of multiple organ systems compromising cardiac output, ventilation, renal perfusion, and cerebral circulation. This session explores the pathophysiology of intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), emphasizing its... Read More

Children with acute DKA can look terrible... but avoid the urge to rapidly correct hyperglycemia and acidosis. This talk will explain why!...

In critical care transport, every heartbeat tells a story. ECG changes may reflect underlying disease, electrolyte imbalance, medication effects, or evolving critical illness. Some patterns are subtle signals easily overlooked, while others warn of impending collapse. For transport clinicians, rapid recognition and decisive action are vital when resources are limited... Read More

In high-stakes critical care environments, precision, preparation, and rapid response are non-negotiable. This presentation explores how operational decision-making frameworks—specifically the OODA Loop (Observe–Orient–Decide–Act)—can be applied in clinical settings to enhance situational awareness and drive timely, effective action....

There is more to pregnancy than just birth. The United States is experiencing rising pregnancy-related mortality. This presentation focuses on the leading causes of pregnancy-related death and severe maternal morbidity to guide how transport medical providers can focus on care of pregnant and postpartum patients....

Life Link III is piloting ambient AI to ease documentation burden, improve accuracy, and give time back to clinicians. This session will share real-world lessons from bringing AI into the noisy, high-acuity world of air medical transport—covering what’s working, what isn’t, and whether the system can really filter out your... Read More

Ventilators come in endless modes, but the same four core constructs—mean airway pressure, minute ventilation, resistance, and compliance—are the foundation for them all. This session shows how mastering these principles lets you manage any patient, on any ventilator, in any setting...

Every critical care transport clinician has had a transport in which a patient has either had a cardiac arrest or was on the brink of cardiac arrest. Often, these transports are justified as the benefits of getting a patient to definitive tertiary care still outweigh the risk. However, knowing the... Read More

Neurocritical care transport demands precision, vigilance, and specialized expertise. In this session, a dual-trained neurointensivist and flight physician takes you on a dynamic journey through the evolving landscape of transporting critically ill neurological patients. From altitude-induced shifts in intracranial dynamics to the logistical hurdles of moving unstable patients across long... Read More

There was a time when cars on the freeway were moving faster than some of the early EMS aircraft.The proliferation of programs over the last 25 years has been mind boggling and brought many changes, not all of them beneficial.The Concern Network used to strike fear in our hearts as... Read More

Join us for an engaging class that dives into the critical world of pediatric respiratory emergencies through dynamic case studies. In this course, we will uncover how seemingly manageable conditions can quickly escalate into life-threatening situations if not addressed promptly. Participants will explore a variety of real-life scenarios, gaining vital... Read More

Few moments raise the stakes in transport like a patient locked in battle with the ventilator, demanding rapid recognition, a structured approach, and sound clinical judgment. This session equips transport clinicians with practical tools to identify and manage the most difficult ventilator scenarios encountered in the field. Through three case-based... Read More

Snake bites and marine life encounters pose unique challenges for EMS providers, particularly in coastal and rural environments. These medical emergencies require rapid recognition, accurate assessment, and appropriate intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality. This presentation will cover the identification, pathophysiology, and evidence-based prehospital treatment of envenomations and injuries caused... Read More

Stroke and STEMI can occur in children yet the diagnosis and potential treatments vary from adults. This talk will focus on how to recognize stroke and STEMI in a pediatric patient, and what to do when you suspect it!...

Critical care transport providers operate in some of the most demanding environments in healthcare, long shifts, high-acuity patients, and life-or-death decisions made in confined spaces. These pressures create fertile ground for burnout, with profound impacts on safety, performance, and well-being. This session explores how emotional intelligence (EI) can serve as... Read More

"It wont happen to us". Deep down, do you have the false sense of security that it will never happen to you? For nearly 30 years our flight program has been accident free due in part to our robust safety culture. However, on March 10th 2025 everything changed with a... Read More

Droperidol is one of the most versatile drugs in our critical care transport arsenal. If you are not using it, you should! If you are using it, make sure you understand how to maximize benefit and minimize harm. We will review droperidol pharmacology and application for nausea and vomiting, sedation and chemical... Read More

Transfusion is one of the most debated topics in trauma and critical care transport medicine. Is crystalloid truly harmful, or just overused? Is whole blood the “Holy Grail,” or do components still matter? Do non-trauma patients benefit from transfusion? And do any of these strategies improve outcomes when started prehospital?... Read More

When seconds count and guidelines blur into improvisation, how do you manage a critically unstable trauma patient teetering on the edge of cardiac arrest? This interactive, case-based presentation invites participants to step into the high-stakes world of critical care transport after penetrating abdominal trauma. Through a dynamic Choose Your Own... Read More

Despite its widespread adoption in hospital-based emergency and critical care settings, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) remains a relatively novel technology in the prehospital environment. The eFAST exam is perhaps the most well known and widely adopted however more advanced modalities represent a potential area for new application in critical care transport.... Read More

Have you ever walked into an ER for an interfacility transfer, or worse yet, the ICU , and get handed a stack of paperwork with labs , assessments, demographics, and radiology reports. Sometimes the bundle of joy they give you may be forty pages long. So, what part of that... Read More

Neonatal emergencies can arise without warning—and when they do, transport teams must be ready. This engaging, hands-on session equips non-specialist personnel with the practical tools and confidence needed to support neonatal patients during transport. Learn how to evaluate and prepare critical logistics, from equipment readiness to communication protocols and safety... Read More

Infants with metabolic acidosis can deteriorate quickly—and recognizing the underlying cause is critical during transport. This session equips providers with a practical framework to identify subtle signs, differentiate between inborn errors of metabolism, sepsis, and critical congenital heart disease, and initiate targeted stabilization strategies. Through real-world case studies and discussion,... Read More

Mental health - the elephant in every Emergency Services station and dispatch center. Mental health - the taboo subject no one talks about. Well, not anymore. We're going to have a talk about why Matt had a bout of depression that nearly ended his life. We are going to talk... Read More

LVAD-supported patients are increasingly encountered in the field, yet few guidelines address their management during trauma resuscitation. This session highlights the unique physiology of continuous-flow devices, the risks of anticoagulation, and the controversies surrounding CPR, invasive procedures, and device troubleshooting. Using real-world cases and current evidence, participants will leave with... Read More

Every second counts in a heart attack, but what if our current STEMI criteria are missing nearly half of the most dangerous occlusions? This session takes you beyond traditional ECG interpretation into the Occlusion Myocardial Infarction (OMI) model - the future of cardiac care. You’ll learn how to spot subtle... Read More

This interactive session highlights the unique perspectives of peer support from both the provider and the clinician sides of the coin. Through candid dialogue, storytelling, and lived experience, the presenters will explore the challenges, successes, and practical strategies of integrating peer support into high-acuity, high-stress environments. Attendees will leave with... Read More

Once thought to be relics of the past, diseases like measles, pertussis, polio, and diphtheria are re-emerging as vaccine hesitancy and declining herd immunity fuel new outbreaks. For critical care transport teams, these patients present unique challenges - from managing life-threatening respiratory and neurologic complications to protecting crews in the... Read More

Welcome to the point where toxicology stops being polite and V-A ECMO gets involved. This brief but high-impact presentation explores V-A ECMO for ECPR in toxicological cardiac arrest, where poisons overwhelm physiology and clinicians respond by temporarily running the patient’s circulation themselves. font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;min-height:... Read More

Military and civilian experiences have clearly demonstrated the life-saving utility of tourniquets. Our experience has also shown us the risk of prolonged tourniquet use such as nerve injury, thromboembolism, compartment syndrome, and even amputations. These risks can be magnified when prolonged rural transport times are combined with the old belief... Read More

Caring for a trauma patient is often a complex and overwhelming experience, causing both physical and emotional challenges for healthcare providers who witness and manage these intense experiences. What happens when the patient is a family member? Balancing professional knowledge with personal emotions becomes incredibly difficult. Often, emergency nurses do... Read More

When seconds count and emotions run high, flight teams are often called into chaotic scenes where initial stabilization has faltered. This presentation takes attendees into the tense environment of a rural community emergency department where a critically ill pediatric patient requires advanced airway management. Upon arrival, the flight nurse and... Read More

Imagine performing chest compressions when your patient suddenly opens their eyes or tries to communicate. CPR-induced consciousness (CPRIC) is a rare but startling event that challenges even the most experienced providers. In the high-stakes environment of critical care transport, recognizing and managing CPRIC requires quick thinking, clinical knowledge, and calm... Read More

You’re in the cath lab—PA pressures so high you double-check that it isn’t your arterial line, your third vasoactive drip is maxing out, and survival to transport feels unlikely. You scan the report and ask: “What about iEpo?” The doc looks puzzled: “But sats are 100%.” This session dives into... Read More

Neurogenic shock is a rapid, life-threatening complication of spinal cord injury that demands swift, evidence-based intervention. This case-based review explores the real-time challenges of early recognition, resuscitation, vasopressor management, and monitoring. We’ll examine our clinical protocols alongside current research to highlight best practices and improve outcomes in this critical condition....

Over the last decade, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has accelerated rapidly, supporting patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure. With ongoing clinical experience and technological improvements, the indications for ECMO are increasing. Many areas are developing centralized ECMO centers to serve their surrounding communities. To employ a centralized ECMO referral... Read More

Mental imagery is a proven tool in fields from sports to mental health, shaping both cognitive and physical performance. In prehospital training, where educators use various methods to teach anatomy, procedures, and patient care, mental imagery offers a cost-free, accessible, and powerful resource. This session will examine how it can... Read More

Get ready to put your pediatric transport knowledge to the test in this fast-paced, high-energy game of Pediatric Jeopardy: Critical Care Transport Edition! Designed for flight teams and critical care providers, this interactive session turns essential pediatric transport concepts into an engaging, competitive challenge. From airway to NICU, trauma to... Read More

How does a routine flight for an ambulatory 65-year-old female on 2 lpm oxygen via nasal cannula going to the general ward turn into a critical patient requiring multiple vasopressors and intubation within minutes? No one likes to be surprised like this while in the ED, on the truck, or... Read More

Sepsis doesn’t wait — and when it strikes in neonates and children, every moment matters. Beyond the Balance takes a deep dive into the advanced management of sepsis and septic shock in the transport environment, where providers face high-stakes decisions with limited resources. This session goes beyond the basics, unpacking... Read More

Management of an intubated patient who remains profoundly hypoxemic is among the most challenging scenarios in critical care transport. The combination of physiologic instability, limited resources, and the operational demands of ground or air transport magnify both the urgency and the complexity of clinical decision-making. A structured approach is essential.... Read More

Leadership isn’t a title it’s a behavior anyone can embody. This session challenges the traditional top-down approach by empowering everyone to actively shape culture. The very hierarchy considered essential in our industry may be fostering toxic environments, disengaging staff, and compromising patient care. Aviation has taught us the dangers of... Read More

Escharotomy is one of the most impactful, high-risk, and rarely performed procedures in prehospital care but when ventilation fails and time is critical, it can become a last resort to save a life. In this case-based session, flight nurse and educator Stephanie Suzadail shares the story of a prehospital escharotomy... Read More

This case-driven session will explore evidence-based medicine and clinical pearls for the management of catecholamine-refractory shock. We will review the drug mechanisms, dosing, and transport considerations for agents like angiotensin II, methylene blue, and hydroxocobalamin....

In critical care transport, every second counts, especially when a patient is anticoagulated and actively bleeding. This session will provide you with the critical knowledge needed to manage these high-stakes situations. We'll dive deep into the world of anticoagulation reversal, covering the most common reversal agents and everything you need... Read More

With the tight parameters on oxygenation and ventilation for TBI patients, what do you do when your patient also has chronic lung disease?...

Surgical Cricothyrotomies are rare and often terrifying experiences. Explore a first-hand account of a surgical cricothyrotomy and learn about ways to train for high risk, low frequency events....

As part of medical training, we spend considerable effort learning how to intubate safely—and rightly so. But sometimes, intubation is only the beginning of problems. In this talk, we will discuss how to deal with common adverse events after the patient is intubated. Topics will include subtle unrecognized extubation, the... Read More

Prehospital medicine is challenging. There are obstacles to overcome. Administrators to despise. Patients that spit. Your own back pain. Self-abusers and little sleep. Bacteria, bugs, blood and guts. This talk will discuss lessons learned after thirty years in the trenches with the hope of making your job easier all the... Read More