Writing Samples

A few of my Blogs for SSCOR:

Managing Chest Trauma: Advanced Airway Alternatives

B 263Managing Chest Trauma: Advanced Airway Alternatives

Spinal Trauma: Managing the Tenuous Airway

Spinal Trauma: Managing the Tenuous Airway

Three Respiratory Emergencies Involving Hazardous Materials

Respiratory Emergencies

Airway Obstruction: Are You Prepared?

Airway Obstruction

4 Airway Tools to Include in Your Tactical Medical Kit

Airway Tools Tactical Medical Kit

The Critical Role of a Portable Suction Machine in a Tactical Medical Kit

Portable Suction Machine

Three Risk Factors for Pulmonary Aspiration

Three Risk Factors for Pulmonary Aspiration

Portable Suction Device Considerations for Tactical Medicine

Portable Suction Device Considerations for Tactical Medicine

Managing Tracheal Trauma

Managing Tracheal Trauma

Are You Prepared for Pediatric Trauma?

Are You Prepared for Pediatric Trauma?

The Dangers of Hypothermia

THE DANGERS OF HYPOTHERMIA As winter approaches, it is natural to begin thinking about temperature-related emergencies. States across the country will experience freezing temperatures, along with sleet and snow; naturally, the frequency of such emergencies will increase at this time of year. As a prehospital professional, you will be called upon to treat patients suffering from a range of weather-related issues. To prepare for the onslaught of winter, let’s review some of the dangers of hypothermia. Temperature Regulation in the Body As warm-blooded (homeothermic) creatures, humans can regulate their body temperatures, maintaining a steady state at around 98.6° Fahrenheit (37° Centigrade). Normal body temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus, known as the thermoregulatory center of the brain. It maintains body temperature via neurologic and hormonal means, but can be disrupted through traumatic injury. Humans rely on these two systems to regulate body temperature. Behavioral regulation: governed by thermal sensation and comfort, requiring a conscious effort to reduce thermal discomfort, by adding clothing or seeking shelter from the elements. Physiological thermoregulation: a process of sensory feedback to the brain, which involves a slower response than behavioral regulation. The body produces heat as a byproduct of metabolism. Heat is transferred throughout the body via the circulatory system, which is why skin feels cool when blood is shunted away. Shivering is a means of increasing metabolic heat production, and usually occurs as the core temperature drops from 98.6° Fahrenheit (F) to between 94° and 97° Fahrenheit. Maximal shivering can increase heat production at five to six times the resting level, but will subside once the core temperature drops to around 88° Fahrenheit. The largest organ in the body, the skin, also regulates body temperature by balancing heat production with heat dissipation. The body is prone to dehydration in cold weather. Colder, dryer air evaporates sweat more readily, increases respiratory heat and fluid losses, and produces cold-induced diuresis, causing frequent urination. All of these processes can increase the risk for hypothermia. Ranges of Hypothermia Different stages of hypothermia produce various signs and symptoms. The temperature classifications are as follows: Mild Hypothermia: 95.0—89.6° F Moderate Hypothermia: 89.6—82.4° F Severe Hypothermia: 82.4—68.0° F Profound Hypothermia : 68.0—57.2° F Deep Hypothermia: <57.2° F Hypothermia is generally broken down into two classes. Primary hypothermia occurs when a healthy, unprepared individual is caught in adverse weather conditions, exposed to acute or chronic cold temperatures. Secondary hypothermia occurs after a patient’s systemic disorder, which can include trauma, sepsis, carcinoma, or hypothyroidism. Keep these factors in mind, especially when treating elderly patients, many of whom suffer from preexisting conditions. As always, keep trauma patients warm! The Body’s Reaction to Hypothermia As the core temperature begins to drop, the body’s major organ systems are affected, especially the renal, cardiac, and central nervous systems. Initially, the body will produce shivering and vasoconstriction, in order to increase the core temperature. This increases the heart and respiratory rate, and the blood pressure. As the body temperature falls below 95° F, these reactions diminish and are eventually inhibited. Once the body’s responses stop, the core temperature plummets. At 85° F, the metabolism and cardiac output are diminished by half. Cellular hypoxia sets in, as ventilation and perfusion become inadequate, leading to eventual metabolic and respiratory acidosis. The heart rate will slow as the body temperature drops, at which point ventricular fibrillation (VF) becomes a risk as the core temperature approaches 80° F. Careful handling of these patients is essential to prevent VF. The patient must be rewarmed before CPR is initiated, also to prevent VF. Thus the adage, “The patient is not declared dead, until they are warm and dead.” Staying Safe For first responders working in extremely cold environments, your personal safety is just as important as the safety of your patient. These are a few recommendations for preventing cold-related injuries among you and your crews: Be cautious of risk factors for cold injuries: fatigue, dehydration, undernutrition, tobacco use, and so on. Reduce exposure to cold, wet, and windy conditions whenever possible. Avoid alcohol in cold environments. Keep extra protective clothing in your vehicle, in case you become stranded. Always wear gloves—frostbite can occur rapidly when skin touches metal objects! Protecting your patient means first protecting yourself. Stay alert to the dangers of hypothermia, and avoid becoming a victim. 2011 Prehospital Trauma Life Support, American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma, MOSBY JEMS, Elsevier.

Using Portable Suction Machines with the Special Needs Patient

Paramedic treating patient on stretcher in an ambulance

Common Causes of Decreased Level of Consciousness That Can Lead to a Respiratory Emergency

Patient being put into ambulance - Common Causes of Decreased Level of Consciousness That Can Lead to a Respiratory Emergency

The Do’s and Don’ts of Nasotracheal Intubation

Paramedics putting a patient in an ambulance - nasotracheal intubation do's and don'ts

Heat Emergencies & Medical Suction: A Cautious Approach

Emergency responder equipment - heat emergencies and medical suction

Head Trauma? Keep the Suction Unit Handy!

Patient on the ground after a traffic accident - head trauma and the role of a portable suction unit

Airway Management and the Overdose Patient

Airway Management and the Overdosed Patient - Things to look for

The Inherent Dangers of Facial Trauma​

The Inherent Dangers of Facial Trauma

When Should You Intubate?

When Should You Intubate?

Respiratory Emergencies: Recognizing Thoracic Trauma

Respiratory Emergencies: Recognizing Thoracic Trauma

Four Common Pediatric Respiratory Emergencies (And How to Avoid Them) 

Four Common Pediatric Repiratory Emergencies (And How to Avoid Them)

Tips For Avoiding Aspiration Pneumonia

Tips For Avoiding Aspiration Pneumonia

Airway Physiology: A Brief Review

Airway Physiology: A Brief Review

Respiratory Emergencies: Abnormal Respiratory Patterns and What They Indicate

Respiratory Emergencies: Abnormal Respiratory Patterns and What They Indicate

Obstructive vs. Restrictive Respiratory Diseases: What You Need to Know

Obstructive vs. Restrictive Respiratory Diseases: What You Need to Know

Respiratory Emergencies: Know Your Pediatric Airway!

Respiratory Emergencies: Know Your Pediatric Airway!

Posts from The Body Blog and Online Publications

soul-rise

The Body Blog: Soul Searching…

fear factor main

The Body Blog: The Fear Factor

football-hunk

The Body Blog: Playing Defense

fire down below couple

The Body Blog: Fire Down Below

ebola-virus

The Latinos Post – Rapid-Dectection Ebola Tests Proves Reliable, Safe, and Speedy

prostitution painting

The Body Blog: Hooking through History

brain scan

Latinos Post – Memory Tests Could Warn Against Future Development of Alzheimer’s

rats

The Latinos Post – Do Rats ‘Dream’ of Food? New Research Indicates They Just Might

hallucigenia2

The Latinos Post – New Fossil Reveals Creature’s Bizarre Head

eight legged main

The Body Blog: Eight-Legged Envy

dark galaxies in the Coma Cluster

The Latinos Post – Over 800 Ultra-Dark Galaxies Discovered within the Coma Cluster

google-earth

The Latinos Post – The Next Mass Extinction is Now Underway, and Humans are to Blame

saharan silver ant

The Latinos Post – Secrets of the Heat-Tolerant Saharan Silver Ants

kennewick_man

Latinos Post – New DNA Evidence Clarifies Kennewick Man’s Ties to Native Americans

father painting

The Body Blog – My Father’s Daughter

The European Space Agency Release Images Of Mars

Latinos Post – Methane-Filled Meteorites May Hint at Life on Mars

dinosaur

Latinos Post – Equatorial Dino Mystery Solved

chimp in cage

The Latinos Post – New Ruling Extends Protection to Captive Chimps Used in Biomedical Research

beach

The Latinos Post – Beachgoers Beware: Danger Lurking off Florida Coasts

zebra

Latinos Post – Snapshot Serengeti Captures African Wildlife at its Best

Baby Killer Whale Born At SeaWorld San Diego

Latinos Post – Surfer Joins the Ranks of SeaWorld Critics

seeing dead ghost on pole

The Body Blog: I See Dead People

Yamnaya-skull

Latinos Post – Ancient DNA Provides Clues to Migration, Language, and Lactose Tolerance

DREADNOUGHTUS-570

Latinos Post – How Big is “Big” When We’re Talking Dinosaurs?

conjoined in jar

The Body Blog: Body Double

HIVCell

Latinos Health – How do you Thwart HIV? By Cutting Off its Food Supply

Hurricane Earl Heads Toward U.S. Coast

The Science Times – Why Wait for Hurrican Season when you can Make One in the Lab?

African dispersal

The Science Times – Out of Africa by way of Egypt: New Genetic Data Points to Egyptian Route for Original Human Migration

Tyranosaurus skeleton

The Science Times – Dino Debate Continues: New Analysis Indicate they were Warm Blooded

AA032584

The Body Blog – Bald and Badass

skull with trauma

The Science Times – Ancient Skull Shows Signs of Lethal Combat

A cluster of observatories stand around Mauna Kea volcano

The Science Times – Giant Telescope Construction Continues atop Hawaiian Volcano, Despite Protests

Stalactite Caves Put Temporary Halt On Separation Barrier's Construction

The Science Times – Cave Deposits May Help Predict Future Weather Patterns on our Warming Planet

A Picasso Panther Chameleon recently dis

The Science Times – Gene Sequencing and Color Mapping Reveal Potential New Species among Flamboyant Panther Chameleons

jaguar

The Science Times – Endangered Jaguars May Lose Designated Land if Area Ranchers have their Way

decap old man

The Body Blog – A Meditation on Decapitation

Egtved_Girl_s_grave

The Science Times – Archaeologists Track the Birth, Life, and Death of the 3,000-Year-Old Egtved Girl

Rhino

The Science Times – Hunter Pays $350,000 for the Opportunity to Kill Endangered Black Rhino

stone tool

The Science Times – Oldest Stone Tools Discovered in Kenya, Pushing the Technology Back Some 700,000 Years

Giant_Panda_Eating

The Science Times – Panda Poo Reveals a Mismatched Gut

brain and speech-1

The Science Times – New Research Isolates Speech Center in the Human Brain

maris-and-calf

The Science Times – A Special Mother’s Day Gift: A Baby Beluga

salmon swimming

The Science Times – Record-Setting Drought Forces California Salmon to Take the Highway

hydrogel-syringe

The Science Times – New and Improved Stem Cells Have the Potential to Restore Sight and Heal Damaged Brains

mars-landscape-with-astronaut

The Science Times – NASA Hopes to Rely on Algae and Bacteria for Oxygen Production on Mars

opah fish

The Science Times – Up From the Depths: The First Warm-Blooded Fish

borneo hunter gatherers

The Science Times – He Said, She Said: Actually, They Both Say When it Comes to Where Hunter-Gatherers Live

circumcision banana

The Body Blog – The Circumcision Decision

gibraltar-macaque

The Science Times – Macaques Prove Quite Handy with a Hammer

Saurornitholestes sullivani

The Science Times – Meet Velociraptor’s ‘Nosey’ Cousin

stroke

The Science Times – Dietary Supplement Linked to Hemorrhagic Stroke

 

liberia-children630

The Science Times – On the Ebola Front, Good News for Liberia, Caution for Neighboring Countries

underwater_robot_mit

The Science Times – ‘Brainy’ Robots May Revolutionize Underwater Exploration

smoking ban in China

The Science Times – China Hikes Cigarette Tax in Hopes of Curbing Consumption

mars surface

The Science Times – For the Mom Who Has Everything, How About a Martian Crater?

spider web carbon

The Science Times – Spiders Sprayed with Graphene Weave Futuristic Webs

measles

The Science Times – New Research Reveals Measles Weakens Immune System for Up to Three Years

chocolate and xrays

The Science Times – How to Avoid Chocolaty Fat Blooms? X-rays Reveal the Answer

Oculus_Rift

The Science Times – Is Virtual Reality Finally Getting Real

malaria

The Science Times – Red Blood Cells Reveal Trap Door for Malaria – How This Parasite Finds Its Way In

**Embargo: Oklahoma City, OK** Strong storms, likely spawning tornadoes, damaged homes in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area May 6, 2015.

**Embargo: Oklahoma City, OK**
Strong storms, likely spawning tornadoes, damaged homes in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area May 6, 2015.

The Science Times – Heavy Rain and Twisters Sweep the Midwest

globalobesity420

The Science Times – The Obesity Wave Hits European Shores and Ireland is Drowning

ovarian-cancer-cell

The Science Times – New Guidelines Show Promise in Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer

c difficile soap

The Science Times – Bacteria to the Rescue: New Treatments for a Deadly Common Infection

7.4-magnitude-quake-rocks-Papua-New-Guinea

The Science Times – Quake Shakes Papua New Guinea

bird flu

The Science Times – Poultry Pathogens Sweep the Midwest

space flight EM Drive

The Science Times – No Fuel, No Problem: New Technology May Make Interplanetary Travel on Electromagnetic Propulsion

tracheal splint

The Science Times – Take a Deep Breath: Patients find Relief through 3D Printing

polar bear

The Science Times – As Global Temperatures Rise, Species May Plummet

If you want to check out the segment I filmed for the Weather Channel on the yellow fever outbreak in Sanford in the 1800s, they're rebroadcasting it tonight (Nov 9th) at midnight and throughout the week. The series is American Supernatural and the show is entitled "The Dead Zone."

If you want to check out the segment I filmed for the Weather Channel on the yellow fever outbreak in Sanford in the 1800s, they’re rebroadcasting it tonight (Nov 9th) at midnight and throughout the week. The series is American Supernatural and the show is entitled “The Dead Zone.”

 

5 thoughts on “Writing Samples”

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