EMTprep Free Training Materials


Training Categorized: Respiratory Emergencies

            Epinephrine works by binding to alpha 1 and beta 1 receptors in the body to increase vasoconstriction and increase the positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of the heart. We remember this because of its use in cardiac arrest patients, asthma patients, bradycardic patients, and hypotensive patients. We’ve all used Epinephrine in varying concentrations either IM, SQ, IV, or IO for cardiac arrest calls, anaphylaxis calls, and some respiratory calls because it also affects beta 2 receptors for smooth muscle relaxation in the respiratory tract, and nebulized in pediatrics for croup.

Why would we use an epinephrine drip? These are useful...

One of the most invasive airway procedures that can be performed by a paramedic is a surgical cricothyrotomy. Although infrequent, this procedure could mean the difference between life and death for a patient when there are no other means of securing their airway. With that being said, surgical cricothyrotomy is only to be used when other methods for ventilating a patient are not possible, such as endotracheal intubation or the use of a BVM. We must also add, ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR LOCAL PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES!!

In most cases, cricothyrotomy is not needed, as prior attempts at establishing an airway are usually successful. The incidence level for...