RideAlong: EMT School

Mike Fiore | Max Lizana | Jonathon Aldridge

RideAlong: EMT School follows Mike and Max, two friends diving into EMT training, alongside their co-host Jonathon, a working paramedic. Each week they share lessons, challenges, and stories from class while exploring the broader world of EMS through interviews, gear breakdowns, and survival tips for students. From the classroom to the ambulance, RideAlong offers an honest, entertaining look at the journey into emergency medicine. Go to www.RideAlong.Bulletn.net for links! Produced by Bulletn.net, a free resource for firearms, medical, and outdoor training communities.

  1. 4D AGO

    Chris & Spencer - EMS 20/20 (RideAlong Interview)

    Chris & Spencer - EMS 20/20 (RideAlong Interview) In this special interview episode of the RideAlong: EMT School Podcast, we sit down with Chris Pfingsten and Spencer Oliver, the hosts of the hit podcast EMS 20/20. Chris and Spencer join us to talk about their individual paths into EMS, how their friendship evolved through paramedic school, and how those experiences ultimately shaped the creation of EMS 20/20. Along the way, we dive into real-world EMS decision-making, the realities of working with limited resources, why classroom learning still matters, and how randomness and chaos are part of every call — sometimes literally decided by a 20-sided die. As always, the conversation takes a few entertaining detours into movie references, questionable ambulance memories, fictional EMS worlds, and the kind of gallows humor that only makes sense if you’ve worn gloves at 3 a.m. This episode is packed with insight for EMT students, seasoned providers, and anyone curious about what EMS really looks like beyond the textbook. -------------------------------------- Check out the EMS 20/20 CE Credit Subscription! https://flightbridgeed.com/xproduct/ems-20-20-podcast-ce-subscription/ -------------------------------------- Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Welcome & special guest introduction 02:00 – Name pronunciations, Hollywood Video memories, and early EMS stories 09:45 – First calls, rookie nerves, and “how sweaty were you?” 15:00 – Chris & Spencer’s paths into EMS and paramedic school 23:00 – Humor, coping mechanisms, and being misunderstood in EMS 26:30 – Ambulance types, vomit floods, and operational competence 33:00 – Building EMS 20/20 and why randomness matters in learning 01:09:00 – Classroom vs real-world medicine and the value of new EMTs 01:12:00 – Resource-rich vs resource-limited systems and decision-making 01:33:00 – In-flight medical emergencies and what actually happens 01:37:00 – EMS in fictional worlds (Middle-earth, Gotham, and Florida) 01:44:00 – Final thoughts, encouragement, and closing reflections -------------------------------------- ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice or official EMT training. Always follow your accredited instructors and local protocols. -------------------------------------- 🚑 RideAlong: EMT School Links www.ridealong.bulletn.net

    1h 46m
  2. FEB 11

    I Don’t Need Your Civil Warfarin – Hematologic & Renal Emergencies

    I Don’t Need Your Civil Warfarin – Hematologic & Renal Emergencies Some of the most dangerous emergencies in EMS don’t look dramatic when you first arrive on scene. In this episode, we dive into hematologic and renal emergencies — the “quiet” problems involving blood, kidneys, dialysis, and anticoagulants that can deteriorate rapidly if key details are missed. Mike, Max, and Jonathan break down how blood and kidney function are deeply connected, why blood thinners deserve immediate respect, and how missed dialysis, fistulas, and fluid imbalance can turn a routine call into a critical one. This episode emphasizes patient history, secondary assessment, and recognizing subtle red flags that matter just as much as vitals. -------------------------------------- Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Intro, episode title, and catching up 29:06 – Overview of hematologic and renal emergencies 30:46 – Medical Term of the Week: Blood Thinners 48:40 – Blood disorders, anticoagulants, and EMS implications 01:12:00 – Renal emergencies, dialysis patients, and fistula considerations 01:43:30 – Missed dialysis, rapid deterioration, and transport decisions 01:45:34 – Student Tip of the Week: Secondary assessment and patient history -------------------------------------- ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice or official EMT training. Always follow your accredited instructors and local protocols. -------------------------------------- 🚑 RideAlong: EMT School Links www.ridealong.bulletn.net

    1h 51m
  3. FEB 2

    Step Back From That Ledge My Friend (Psychiatric Emergencies)

    Step Back From That Ledge My Friend (Psychiatric Emergencies) Psychiatric and behavioral emergencies are some of the most complex, emotionally charged calls EMS providers will ever respond to. In this episode, we take a deep dive into mental health crises, suicide, and behavioral emergencies—why they’re becoming more common, how they present in the field, and how EMTs can approach these patients safely, professionally, and with empathy. Drawing from both textbook fundamentals and real-world experience, we break down how to recognize a true mental health emergency, how to communicate with patients in crisis, and why these calls can escalate quickly if warning signs are missed. We also tackle excited delirium as our Medical Term of the Week, discuss involuntary holds, scene safety, and documentation, and wrap with an important reminder that EMS providers are not immune to mental health struggles themselves. -------------------------------------- New RideAlong: EMT School Shirts Available!!! https://shop.bulletn.net/brand/ridealong/ -------------------------------------- Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Intro, life updates, and setting the tone 12:06 – Overview of psychiatric emergencies, mental health crisis, and suicide 19:09 – Medical Term of the Week: Excited Delirium 36:28 – Recognizing behavioral emergencies and red flags 43:04 – Triggers vs. causes in mental health crises 01:11:22 – Assessing mental status and patient communication 01:47:23 – Involuntary holds, documentation, and legal considerations 02:07:34 – Tools of the Trade: Airway adjuncts 02:07:53 – Student Tip of the Week: EMS provider mental health and asking for help -------------------------------------- ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice or official EMT training. Always follow your accredited instructors and local protocols. -------------------------------------- 🚑 RideAlong: EMT School Links www.ridealong.bulletn.net

    2h 12m
  4. JAN 26

    Let The Fear Take the Wheel and Steer (Graduation & EVOC)

    Let The Fear Take the Wheel and Steer (Graduation & EVOC) In this episode, we’re officially on the other side of EMT school — but not without one last gut check. We break down our EVOC experience, what we thought emergency vehicle operations would be versus what actually matters, and why “due regard” isn’t just a legal phrase — it’s a mindset. We also reflect on graduation, testing anxiety, and the strange emotional whiplash of finally being done… and immediately thinking about what’s next. From cone courses and uncomfortable realizations to why slowing down can actually save more lives, this one ties together the end of EMT school with the beginning of real-world responsibility. -------------------------------------- Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Intro, EVOC nerves, and expectations vs reality 50:55 – Graduation, practical exams, and NREMT head games 01:29:40 - Medical Term of the Week: Due Regard 01:46:03 - EVOC After Action Report 01:54:45 – Tools of the Trade: ANSI / NZ 107 High-Visibility Safety Vest 02:04:40 – Student Tip of the Week: Scene safety isn’t optional — make yourself visible -------------------------------------- ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice or official EMT training. Always follow your accredited instructors and local protocols. -------------------------------------- 🚑 RideAlong: EMT School Links www.ridealong.bulletn.net

    2h 9m
  5. JAN 19

    ROSC You Like a Hurricane (Resuscitation)

    ROSC You Like a Hurricane (Resuscitation) Resuscitation is one of the heaviest and most misunderstood topics in EMS. In this episode, we break down what resuscitation really looks like in the prehospital environment — from recognizing cardiac arrest and organizing a response, to understanding rhythms, defibrillation, and when transport versus continued on-scene care makes sense. We also talk candidly about expectations, teamwork, and what “success” really means in resuscitation. -------------------------------------- VIST OUR EPISODE AND TOOLS OF THE TRADE SPONSOR!!! Master Medical Equipment https://www.mmemed.com Defibtech https://www.defibtech.com -------------------------------------- Episode Breakdown 00:00:08 – Intro, shoutouts, and dedication 00:15:18 – A message from our sponsor: Master Medical Equipment 00:22:02 – Medical Term of the Week: Triangle of Life 00:35:42 – Main topic discussion: Resuscitation 01:49:00 – When do we stop? Termination of resuscitation, protocols, and medical direction 02:08:11 – Tools of the Trade: AED (Sponsored by Master Medical Equipment + Defibtech) 02:33:54 – Student Tip of the Week: Take a CPR/AED class -------------------------------------- ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice or official EMT training. Always follow your accredited instructors and local protocols. -------------------------------------- 🚑 RideAlong: EMT School Links www.ridealong.bulletn.net

    2h 36m

About

RideAlong: EMT School follows Mike and Max, two friends diving into EMT training, alongside their co-host Jonathon, a working paramedic. Each week they share lessons, challenges, and stories from class while exploring the broader world of EMS through interviews, gear breakdowns, and survival tips for students. From the classroom to the ambulance, RideAlong offers an honest, entertaining look at the journey into emergency medicine. Go to www.RideAlong.Bulletn.net for links! Produced by Bulletn.net, a free resource for firearms, medical, and outdoor training communities.